GP's in the UK are generally pretty clued up on managing high cholesterol.
Lopid isn't usually the first choice, unless the lipid profile (the breakdown of the fats in your blood stream) is unusual. Without that information, it's difficult to give specific advice.
Cutting down on risk factors (weight, sedentary lifestyle, diet,smoking) may influence (or at the very least, delay) the decision to commence, what is essentially, a life long medication. And life long is needed to gain any benefit.
Probably not a good idea to make any specific recommendations here, but I'd ask the question as to why a "statin" is not the first choice in your case.
It's important to realise that the decision to prescribe life long treatment is not made lightly, but if that is the outcome, then you are not "ill", your doc is trying to prevent you getting that way.
As a matter of interest, is your dad still alive, if not, at what age did he die?