Ten Questions: John Barrett

Published on Friday 26 June 2009 09:12

John Barrett, 55, is Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West. He lives in Corstorphine

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh?

Living in Saughton Road North, age three, and playing with my mum and dad.

2 What are your memories of school?

Really enjoyed Carrick Knowe Primary School and Forrester High, playing football for both teams and being asked to go for a trial with Partick Thistle FC. Have gone back to events at both schools since, a number of times.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why?

Home, after a week in London it is always good to come back.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh?

Friends, family, the clean air and stunning architecture, also tap water you can drink.

5 What would you change about the city?

I would improve the shops and buildings in Princes Street, which have gone downhill in recent years. Hopefully the trams will be the start of the change for the better.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out.

A visit to the zoo in the morning with the family, lunch at South Queensferry and a walk along the coast in the afternoon. Out in the evening to the cinema.

7 Which sports interest you?

I am a long-suffering Hearts fan who gave up going to Tynecastle years ago but still like to hear of them winning. Still like to watch football and Formula 1 highlights on TV.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment?

After paying for petrol at a petrol station, a silver Ford Focus, which looked identical to my one, pulled up outside the kiosk and I didn't look to closely and, though it was being driven by my wife, I jumped in and gave the woman sitting there the fright of her life. I think she thought she was about to be hi-jacked. Her kids in the back looked confused as well.

9 What is your greatest achievement?

Being elected as a Liberal Democrat MP in 2001 and increasing the majority in Edinburgh West to 13,600 in 2005. The second highest Lib Dem majority in the UK after Charles Kennedy.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words.

Simply the best