Modesty was the hallmark of Lord Alport's near 50-year connection with Colchester.

It endeared him to local people but, at times, belied the power, influence and impression he left nationally on the emergence of new Conservatism after the war.

His famous list of contemporaries, Iain MacLeod, Rab Butler, Edward Heath, Alec Douglas-Home, Enoch Powell and Reginald Maudling, eventually emerged with more power and influence but Cub Alport's imprint was indelibly left on the party.

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kenneth Clarke acknowledges this in a new book, Alport, A Study in Loyalty, published today.

His foreword touches on Alport's pride, principles and a degree of inflexibility in changing times but, between the lines of his honest appraisal, Mr Clarke suggests that the intellectual revival of the post-war party and the foundation of the One Nation group, was as much to do with Cub Alport as with anyone else.

The book, published by Acumen at £25, is authored by Mark Garnett, a lecturer in politics at Durham, Exeter and Newcastle universities.

It parallels Lord Alport's career in national and international politics and diplomacy with his tireless work in the constituency.

Cub Alport lived at the Cross House, Layer de la Haye from 1951 until his death last year. He was elected to Parliament for Colchester in 1950 with a 950 majority and handed over the safe seat to Antony Buck 11 years later with a 7,500 vote advantage.

His elevation to the peerage by Harold Macmillan in 1961 was interrupted during the mid-1960s when he was sent to Africa to try to resolve the conflict between Harold Wilson and the Rhodesian government led by Ian Smith, over its unilateral declaration of independence.

His return to the Lords was soon marked by his maverick tendencies towards more radical Conservatism and he resigned the whip.

He was deputy speaker for some years and in between was appointed High Steward of Colchester and later a freeman of the borough.

Mr Garnett's detailed work provides an appealing contrast between the intrigue and politicking at Westminster and the more parochial, but similarly sensitive debates, going on in Colchester over issues such as the establishment of Essex University in the early 1960s.

It is a good read, weakened slightly by more emphasis on politics than people, but balanced, for local readers at least, by fascinating anecdotal accounts of Colchester life.

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