This week shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis takes the Uncut hot seat
What was the last film you saw in the cinema?
The King’s Speech.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
Taylor Swift – Speak now – Came highly recommended by my 14 year old son.
What is the best thing about being British?
The NHS which is unique and should never be taken for granted.
Which current non-Labour MP to you most admire and why?
Norman Lamb – Because before the last general election unlike Andrew Lansley he was genuinely willing to seek a consensus on the future of social care.
Do you believe that the message of socialism alleviating inequality will be heard in our lifetime?
It is heard by many in the world but the challenge is for us to use language and adopt policies which persuade the majority that it is not only morally right but in all of our interests.
What is your most irrational fear?
Eating an olive!
What is your favourite meal to cook yourself?
Ivan Lewis. Epicurean.
Parsnip soup and bagels with red Leicester cheese and sweet and sour pickled cucumbers. Sad but true.
Which labour politician, living or dead, do you most admire?
Alan Johnson (very much alive!) – A remarkable life’s journey – and no I am not after any of the royalties from his book…
Is it wrong to hate tories?
Yes, because hate is a word to be used sparingly if at all. But also we need to win back many people who voted Tory at the last election if we are to form a Government in the future.
If any, what instruments can you play?
I used to play the piano at a pretty basic standard. Who knows I may get around to fulfilling my ambition to learn to play the guitar.
Where is the best place to eat in your constituency?
There are far too many to list in the allocated space.
If the queen exiled you from the UK, where would you live?
I would split my time between Lake Kivu in Rwanda and the Galilee in Israel.
What is the best political speech that has been made in your lifetime?
Too young for Martin Luther King or John F Kennedy so it has to be Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in May 1994.
All time favourite TV series?
Dallas – Trash but great trash.
In a film of your life, who would play you?
Yes Minister
Paul Eddington (Jim Hacker in Yes Minister) – my former civil servants will not be surprised!
Describe David Cameron in three words
Public relations man
Xfactor or Strictly Come Dancing?
X Factor –I was lucky enough to see the results programme live last year.
Who was your first crush?
Betsy, we bonded at my 11th birthday party.
Bevan or Gaitskell and why?
Gaitskell because he had a single minded focus on ensuring the Labour party was electable. He understood the futility of opposition and that we can only change our country’s value base from Government.
Who is the most famous non-political person you have met?
The late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Do you have any piercings or tattoos – if no have you ever come close?
Not yet.
Favourite book, poem and film?
Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, by Robert Tressell
Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann
The Killing Fields
Ivan Lewis is the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport and MP for Bury South
More in the series:
Knowing me knowing… John Healey
Knowing me knowing… Jim Murphy
Tags: bagels, Ivan Lewis, knowing me knowing you, taylor swift
The King’s Speech, Taylor Swift, Dallas, factual and political books… Remind me again why Ivan Lewis was given the culture brief?