I recently had a very special visitor shadowing me at the Scottish Parliament.
Fourth year pupil David McAllister from Calderglen High School in East Kilbride got to feel what it is like to be a MSP after emailing looking for a school work placement.
David had a very busy week, meeting constituents and also fellow MSP’s. He also sat in on my Local Government and Communities Committee and also got to spend some time on the Chamber floor usually reserved for MSP’s.
In a busy week, David also took time to ask me some hard-hitting questions on life as politician, as you will see on the video above.
He was a credit to the school and certainly knew his stuff about Scottish politics.
Q1. Did someone inspire you to become a politician?
A. No, I got into it all by myself. I found myself becoming a grumpy old man, starting to shout at the telly and my wife said 'you need to go and do something about it. So off I went and joined the Conservative Party.
Q2. Who is your favourite politician?
A. I think that’s going to be someone from the past who you have probably don’t know, but I was a big fan, when I was your age, of Michael Heseltine, who was a top Conservative minister. I found him quite inspirational. However, I don’t agree with his views on Europe.
Q3. How did you feel when you got elected to the Scottish Parliament?
A. It was brilliant, far more emotional than I thought it would have been. I felt myself getting a little choked up. That usually doesn’t happen with me but it was very exciting.
Q4. If you were not a politician what would you like to do?
A. I have been a journalist all my life until I was elected to Holyrood but I don’t think I would go back to doing that. Newspapers are going downhill and losing sales. I would probably go off and do something else like working for a charity
Q5. What is your opinion on Brexit?
A. Well I was one of a few MSPs who came out in favour of leaving the European Union. One of the few brave souls who stuck their heads above the parapet. So, I’m pleased we are leaving and I think we will make a good job of it and Britain will start to go places.
Q6. What was your maiden speech on?
A. That was on Brexit. I did not do the traditional maiden speech of thanking predecessors. I got stuck into the European Union and how bad an organisation it was and the great opportunities we have going forward now.
Q7. Who did you ask your first question to in Parliament?
A. Good question, there have been so many that I can’t remember. So I am going to give you a minister’s answer. I’ll write to you!
Q8. What do you like to do to keep yourself relaxed when you are not in Parliament?
A. I am quite keen on cycling. I am not one of these middle age men in Lycra. When I can I get out on my bike around East Kilbride. I also like hillwalking and occasionally watch football
Q9. If you had to give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to be a politician what would it be?
A. Get some life experience, don’t do what many people do which is go into politics young. Get a proper career first, which will help.
Q10. Who is your favourite politician on another bench?
A. This could embarrass people. I get on well with Derek Mackay the Finance Minister. I don’t agree with what he does and he is making hash of things. On a personal level he is a nice guy. There are people in all parties that I get on with. Linda Fabiani is the local MSP for East Kilbride and I get on well with her.
