A struggle to be heard

But after going on to become a champion of the Ulster Scots culture, Lord Laird of Artigarvan uses his new book to highlight how Irish nationalism is backward looking, and how it has had an adverse effect on the British Isles.

John Laird's first book, in which he outlines major events in his life and how he developed his current opinions, is launched today, 15th November 2010, in London. Called "A Struggle to be Heard by a true Ulster liberal" John Laird, also known as Lord Laird of Artigarvan, seeks to reclaim political language which has been conceded to Irish Nationalism in recent decades. Laird traces the liberal background of the Unionist cause around the time of the Home Rule Bills and proceeds to build a damning case against the romantic dream of a united Ireland which never was or will be.

John Laird was the last person to be elected as a Member in the Stormont Parliament in 1970 at the age of 25. His experiences through the unrest of the following decades are well documented. All his range of activities from bank official, through computer programmer, head of an information service, to creating his own public relations agency in 1976 which still exists today, are detailed. A journey which also included appointment as a Visiting Professor and a Governor of his old school all helped to prepare him for his current role as a Peer of the Realm as The Baron Laird of Artigarvan. In the Lords, the development continued and includes the writing of his book.

John Laird's time at Artigarvan, near Strabane, in the family homestead are described in detail along with a description of the rolling hills of Tyrone. Family connections with the area of Kells outside Ballymena are also brought into focus.

From being small, bullied at school, dyslexic, the sudden death of his father, clinical depression, unemployed, the toll of the Troubles, right up to the failure of officialdom, to grant equality to his community, are all in the cauldron which produced the John Laird of today.

A remarkable story told with great humour and colour. The case for Unionism and Ulster Scots culture is well put "A Struggle to be Heard" can be purchased from all good book shops or from www.lordlaird.co.uk