Gordon Henderson MP answers ConHome's Twenty Questions for the Class of 2010

Here is the latest in our series of Twenty Questions with members of the Class of 2010...

Gordon Henderson was elected MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey with a majority of 12,383.

1. What is your earliest political memory? Harold Macmillan's "Night of the Long Knives".

2. Complete the sentence: “I’m a Conservative because… I believe that individuals know better how to run their lives than the State".

3. Who is your political hero and why? Winston Churchill, who epitomises all that is best about Britain.

4. When did you decide you wanted to become an MP? 1983, when I was the constituency agent to Roger Gale.

5. What is your reading material of choice? Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and my four local newspapers (these are my No. 1 priority), the BBC website and ConservativeHome.

6. Who is your favourite political interviewer/presenter on TV or radio? John Humphrys.

7. If you could run any government department, which would it be and why? Business, Industry and Skills; so that I could do something to reduce the burden of regulation on businesses.

8. Which non-Conservative politician do you most admire? Nigel Farage.

9. Who would you least want to get stuck with in a House of Commons lift? Gordon Brown.

10. If you were in the US, would you be a Republican or a Democrat? Republican.

11. What do you enjoy doing to unwind and relax? Reading and writing.

12. What is your favourite book? The Stand by Stephen King

13. What is your favourite film? Jesus Christ Superstar.

14. What is your favourite music? Anything by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Keane or Coldplay.

15. What would be your ideal meal and where would you eat it? My local Chinese restaurant.

16. What is your favourite holiday destination? Goa.

17. What do you most want to achieve during your first term in Parliament? Represent the people of Sittingbourne and Sheppey to the best of my ability.

18. Tell us one interesting, unusual or surprising fact about yourself. I failed my 11 Plus test.

19. Tell us one interesting, unusual or surprising fact about your constituency. It is the only constituency in the South of England with a port, a steel works, a paper mill and three prisons!

20. Share with us your most amusing story or favourite anecdote from the campaign trail. I was doing a question and answer session at a local primary school when one of the youngsters asked me how old I was. I replied that I was 62 and he immediately came back with: "You've worn well!"

> Previously: Angie Bray MP