What is the first news/historical event you can recall?
The Winter of Discontent.
What is the book you most wish you’d written?
Robert Caro’s multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson.
One bit of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Work hard, believe in yourself, and try to do for a living something that you enjoy. With respect to the last, I count myself very lucky.
What is your favourite saying or quotation?
Winston Churchill’s exhortation to “KBO” (“Keep Buggering On”) has always struck a chord with me.
Where do you want to be buried/have your ashes scattered?
I haven’t thought about it for one moment. Now you ask me, the answer is probably in Woodside Park or Mill Hill where I was brought up.
If you were given £1m to spend on other people, what would you spend it on and why?
I’d give it to an autism charity, in order that it could be used for the benefit of young people on the spectrum. Our eldest child is mildly autistic, and this is a cause close to my heart.
The talent you wish you had?
I love playing and watching tennis, and I was a junior county champion at 12 and 14, declining thereafter! I regret that my modest talent was not sufficient to make it as a professional—my childhood dream—but it does not keep me up at night. Nonetheless, I would rather enjoy the opportunity to be a truly outstanding tennis player.
The best & worst presents you’ve ever received
The best: the health and happiness of my family.
The worst: sorry to be boring, but I can only remember receiving presents that I have enjoyed.
What have you changed your mind about?
An equal age of consent. Originally I voted against it, but then spoke and voted for an equal age in 2000 and it was the start of a long track-record of support for LGBT equality.
What is the biggest problem of all?
The scandal of global poverty.
Are things getting better or worse?
Better.
How do you keep the flame of hope for a better world burning brightly in dark times?
I suppose I just keep buggering on.
The Winter of Discontent.
What is the book you most wish you’d written?
Robert Caro’s multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson.
One bit of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Work hard, believe in yourself, and try to do for a living something that you enjoy. With respect to the last, I count myself very lucky.
What is your favourite saying or quotation?
Winston Churchill’s exhortation to “KBO” (“Keep Buggering On”) has always struck a chord with me.
Where do you want to be buried/have your ashes scattered?
I haven’t thought about it for one moment. Now you ask me, the answer is probably in Woodside Park or Mill Hill where I was brought up.
If you were given £1m to spend on other people, what would you spend it on and why?
I’d give it to an autism charity, in order that it could be used for the benefit of young people on the spectrum. Our eldest child is mildly autistic, and this is a cause close to my heart.
The talent you wish you had?
I love playing and watching tennis, and I was a junior county champion at 12 and 14, declining thereafter! I regret that my modest talent was not sufficient to make it as a professional—my childhood dream—but it does not keep me up at night. Nonetheless, I would rather enjoy the opportunity to be a truly outstanding tennis player.
The best & worst presents you’ve ever received
The best: the health and happiness of my family.
The worst: sorry to be boring, but I can only remember receiving presents that I have enjoyed.
What have you changed your mind about?
An equal age of consent. Originally I voted against it, but then spoke and voted for an equal age in 2000 and it was the start of a long track-record of support for LGBT equality.
What is the biggest problem of all?
The scandal of global poverty.
Are things getting better or worse?
Better.
How do you keep the flame of hope for a better world burning brightly in dark times?
I suppose I just keep buggering on.
