Mike Weatherley 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...

Mike Weatherley was elected MP for Hove with a majority of 1,868.

1. What is your earliest political memory? Breaking the Socialist Workers' canteen boycott at University.

2. Complete the sentence: “I’m a Conservative because… I believe in personal freedom"

3. Who is your political hero and why? Sir Keith Joseph. His views on free markets changed my life.

4. When did you decide you wanted to become an MP? 1999 when an article in the local paper asked candidates to come forward for a selection.

5. What is your reading material of choice? Metal Hammer.

6. Who is your favourite political interviewer/presenter on TV or radio? Briony Leyland (BBC South)

7. If you could run any government department, which would it be and why? Culture, Media and Sport. I have a strong interest in music (passion!), sport (varied and many) and films.

8. Which non-Conservative politician do you most admire? Lembit Opik - not really because of his policies but the way he got notoriety with ease (although if I was to emulate his 'notoriety' I'd prefer it was due to political successes rather than gaffes!).

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? I'd move.

11. What do you enjoy doing to unwind and relax? Listen to very loud rock music.

12. What is your favourite book? Filth by Irvine Walsh.

13. What is your favourite film? One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

14. What is your favourite music? Heavy metal. From Iron Maiden to Bullet For My Valentine.

15. What would be your ideal meal and where would you eat it? Cheese, a good selection of cured hams and wine. At La Cave à Fromage in Western Road, Hove.

16. What is your favourite holiday destination? Rio De Janeiro.

17. What do you most want to achieve during your first term in Parliament? To be the Parliamentary champion of film and music - and locally to build upon Hove's excellent base and start the process of expanding the constituency into a major media and cultural centre.

18. Tell us one interesting, unusual or surprising fact about yourself. Does a tattoo count? It has the inscription 'Live for the moment'.

19. Tell us one interesting, unusual or surprising fact about your constituency. Hove was an early pioneer of films - it all started here!

20. Share with us your most amusing story or favourite anecdote from the campaign trail. Can't do one - I'm totally humbled by the huge number of really fantastic people involved in the local community and each has its own story worthy of telling.

> Previously: Chris Kelly MP