A FORMER Pembrokeshire MP’s diary, ‘Ungovernable; The Political Diary of a Chief Whip’, has gone straight into the bestseller charts.

Simon Hart, who was Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP for 14 years, kept a diary throughout his time as an MP, Secretary of State for Wales and Chief Whip.

‘Ungovernable; The Political Diary of a Chief Whip’ tells the story of the last four years of his time in politics and it has hit number three in the Sunday Times’ weekly roundup of bestselling books.

“I started to keep a diary as soon as I was elected in 2010 as a record for my kids who at the time were only eight and 10,” Mr Hart said.

“But obviously it got more and more interesting to outsiders the longer my career went on. I might have found campaigning about the Llandewi Velfrey by-pass fascinating; however the publishers were more interested in the fact that we got through 15 MPs while I was Chief Whip!”

Mr Hart, who lives near Narberth, is now embarking on a summer of literary festivals and political podcasts to promote the book.

His next event is an evening ‘in conversation with’ Jonathan Edwards - former Plaid MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr - at Waterstones in Carmarthen on March 14.

“As Chief Whip I was responsible for party discipline, and had to suspend 10 MPs ranging from Lee Anderson for his comments about the London Mayor to Matt Hancock for going on I’m a Celebrity,” he explained. “I think there are some important lessons to be learned about the way we select candidates and how we support them once they become MPs.”

‘Ungovernable: The Political Diary of a Chief Whip’ is published by Macmillan with a recommended retail price of £25.