The Whitehaven News asked me a series of questions to help local voters get to know me a little better. My answers are below!
Family status: Married with two lazy lurchers
Education: Comprehensive schools in Rochdale and then Dumfriesshire, undergraduate at Edinburgh University and Master’s degree at Manchester.
Last job: I led a landmark independent review to reshape how we support vulnerable children and families in England and I then went on to chair a charity.
What prompted you to get into politics?: Partly my stepdad Peter. I fell behind at school and he helped me catch up. That left me with a strong sense that education and having extra support can change lives, and I saw politics as a way of doing this for more people.
What previous political experience did you have? I’ve persuaded Conservative government ministers to fund various programmes, like the review I led that got £200m of new funding for children.
Have you ever been a member of another party? No
Have you stood as MP before? No
Who is your political hero? Hard to choose, but I’d say Bobby Kennedy.
What is your hobby? I’m a Mountain Rescue volunteer
What’s your ideal night out? Going to the pub with friends
What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I enjoy a good night out but I went *a bit* overboard on the first night of my stag do and may have struggled to be a full and active participant for the rest of the weekend.
Your proudest achievement? Building a charity from scratch that employed over 120 people and brought thousands of new people to social work
Your biggest fear? The sensation of falling!
Describe yourself in three words: Impatient, committed, energetic
Josh MacAlister MP 