Alistair McAlpine, Baron McAlpine of West Green
Robert Alistair McAlpine, Baron McAlpine of West Green , often known as Alistair McAlpine, was a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. McAlpine was descended from the McAlpine baronets who made their fortune in the construction industry. McAlpine held a variety of jobs before becoming prominent in British politics in the 1980s as the treasurer and a major fundraiser of the Conservative Party. A close ally of Thatcher, McAlpine did not support her successor as Prime Minister John Major, and later joined James Goldsmiths Referendum Party. McAlpine later rejoined the Conservatives but resigned his seat in the House of Lords to avoid having to pay more tax.
McAlpine was born at the Dorchester Hotel in London. His great grandfather was Concrete Bob, Robert McAlpine, the first of the McAlpine baronets and the founder of the McAlpine construction firm. He was the second son of Ella Mary Gardner and Edwin McAlpine, the fifth Baronet, and the brother of William McAlpine, the sixth and current Baronet. He described his childhood as idyllic but not luxurious. He went to boarding school at the age of six. He suffered from dyslexia and left Stowe School atwith three Olevels. He then worked on a McAlpine building site on the South Bank, keeping time and dealing with wage packets.
Source: Wikipedia