 In March 1976 he pressed the issue of a member of the House of Commons catering staff who had been found to be a supporter of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, calling for stricter vetting.A strong supporter of Margaret Thatcher, Brotherton urged Edward Heath not to make public criticisms of her.In 1977 he successfully moved a private member's motion that declared the House would not welcome Idi Amin's presence at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference.