Here Today Gone Tomorrow: Memoirs of an Errant Politician

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Nott's son, Julian Nott, is a film composer, screenwriter and director, most famous for writing the scores for the Wallace & Gromit animated short films. Nott's other son, William, works for an international oil company in London. Nott's daughter, Sasha, is married to the Member of Parliament for East Devon, Hugo Swire MP; who was until July 2007, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. In the new coalition government he is Minister of State for Northern Ireland. When the Falklands conflict was won by the British, Nott wrote: “This was a tremendous achievement and it definitely revived the self-confidence of the nation. It was an amazing episode in our history.” On leaving politics, Nott returned to the business world, becoming Chairman and Chief Executive of Lazard Brothers and Company Limited from 1985 to 1990 (and Director, 1983-90), then Chairman of Etam plc (1991-95). He was also Deputy Chairman of Royal Insurance PLC from 1986 to 1989 (Director, 1985-91) and Director of Record Treasury Management plc from 1991.

I think we’d be in trouble,” says Sir Bernard. “I think we have the quality in the military, but we certainly don’t have the numbers.”

Biographical / Historical

Nott served as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Cornwall constituency of St Ives from 1966 to 1983. [1] He was the last person to commence his parliamentary career under the nearly obsolete National Liberal label. The National Liberals were formally absorbed by the Conservatives in 1968, after which Nott sat as a Conservative MP. As of 2022 [update], he is the last surviving former National Liberal MP. Sanderson, David (19 September 2020). "Sasha Swire has plenty more embarrassing diaries to come". The Times . Retrieved 19 September 2020.

Harpin, Lee (29 September 2020). "Wife of ex-Tory minister criticised over 'Jewish lobby' references in political diaries". The Jewish Chronicle . Retrieved 29 September 2020. Swire, Sasha (15 September 2020). "Negronis at dawn and David Cameron's last days: Sasha Swire's secret diary". The Times . Retrieved 19 September 2020. The Argentinian forces faced an even greater toll, losing 649 personnel, with a further 1,657 suffering injuries. The junta lost nine vessels, including the ARA Santa Fe and, most infamously, the cruiser ARA General Belgrano, which was sunk while patrolling supposedly safe seas outside the exclusion zone put in place by the British. The final word goes to the most senior man among this rich collection of political figures from four decades ago. Indeed, they are the only words on the war that he is willing to provide.Nott’s autobiography, entitled ‘Here Today, Gone Tomorrow,’ suggests a series of fascinating facts about the Falklands War. Nott said: “I must confess that I wasn’t much aware of the Falkland Islands before the invasion. I had a huge globe in my room in the Ministry of Defence and I went over to it to rediscover the geographical position of the Falklands. I was a bit horrified to see how far away they were.” a b O'Neill, Katie (14 September 2020). "Secret diary of MP's wife set to ruffle feathers in Westminster". The Telegraph . Retrieved 19 September 2020. The chief of the naval staff had heard that I was over in the House of Commons and he came across to get hold of me. However, Sir John, the last surviving member of Thatcher’s War Cabinet, does not like to dwell on the crucial role he played during the war. At almost every pivotal announcement during those 74 days he was front and centre, or at Thatcher’s side. Nott and John Major are the only surviving members of Thatcher's cabinet who do not currently sit in either house of Parliament.

The secretary of state is supported by the other ministers in the Defence Ministerial Team and the MOD permanent secretary. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for defence, and the secretary of state is also scrutinised by the Defence Select Committee. [6] Together with John Major, he is the only surviving member of Mrs Thatcher's cabinet who does not currently sit in either house of Parliament. In 1985 he became Chairman and Chief Executive of the banking firm Lazard Brothers. He now lives on his farm at St Erth in Cornwall. Nott served in the early 1970s government of Prime Minister Ted Heath as a junior Treasury minister. He joined the shadow cabinet in 1976 and the when Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 general election. With this appointment to the cabinet, he was made a Privy Counsellor. [1] He served first as the Secretary of State for Trade and was moved to Defence in the reshuffle of January 1981. Downing Street had been made aware of imminent invasion when the Argentinian submarine ARA Santa Fe was spotted off the coast of Stanley at around 10pm on 31 March, 1982. The discussion between Thatcher and her closest advisors turned to how to respond. In contrast to what is generally known as a defence minister in many other countries, the Defence Secretary's remit includes:

I inaugurated the cemetery at San Carlos. That was a really emotional day. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining over the water there and it was really very sad. He was full of confidence that he could get a task force to sea the following week. Margaret Thatcher was tremendously impressed and so was I.