Smooth Operator : The life and times of Cyril Lakin, editor, broadcaster and politician

From a humble background in Barry, where hisfather was a butcher and local politician in theformative years of the new town, Cyril Lakin studiedat Oxford, survived the First World War, and wenton to become a Fleet Street editor, radio presenterand war-time member of parliament.

As literaryeditor of both the Daily Telegraph and the SundayTimes, Lakin was at the centre of a vibrant andradical generation of writers, poets and critics,many of whom he recruited as reviewers.

He gaineda parliamentary seat and served in the NationalGovernment during World War II. The different worlds he inhabited, from Walesto Westminster, and across class, profession andparty, were facilitated by his relaxed disposition,convivial company, and ability to cultivateinfluential contacts.

An effective talent-spotter andcatalyst for new projects, he preferred pragmatismover ideology and non-partisanship in politics: amoderate Conservative for modern times.