Quick Questions & Answers
Why did you set up this blog?
In many ways this blog was written to help me set out some of the reasons and background behind wanting to enter politics. But by making it public, it's a chance to share those thoughts, and also listen to the responses.
Why do you want to enter politics?
Primarily because I love the UK and more significantly the people of the UK. I could have stayed in my executive career in finance which I also enjoyed; but felt it was time to devote my energy and attention into something which is primarily focused on loving and serving the people of this country.
Is there a reason for choosing purple as a key colour for this blog?
I was conscious that in setting up a blog which was dealing with political topics, the colours used may be perceived as being party political. This blog is not intended to have that focus.
The colour purple was chosen for two reasons. Firstly it is the colour of Durham which is where my home is. And secondly, purple is a mix of red and blue which seemed appropriate for a non-party focussed blog.
Are you a member of a political party?
I hesitated for some time over the decision to join a political party as I wanted my primary focus to be the people rather than the party. However, I accepted the wisdom that no man is an island, and that whilst no party is even close to being perfect, there are some foundational principles with which you align more strongly than others.
Accordingly, I joined the Conservative Party.
Why the Conservative Party?
When I considered the deep foundations of the parties (and not the more transient passing issues and controversies), I find myself more naturally aligned with conservatism. Traditional family values, fiscal structures, the monarchy, pride in our heritage and institutional structures as well as a belief in the power of private enterprise over state intervention naturally lead me to conservatism rather than other parties. This is not to say that I don't have sympathies with some of the ideals of the other parties.
Which Christian denomination are you?
I don't hold very fast to any particular denomination. As a teenager I attended a Church of England, and then became a member of the Methodist church. At university I largely attended a United Reform Church. In New Zealand we attended an independent evangelical church and our boys went to a Catholic school. Now back in the UK we're attending a Church of England place of worship again.