By: Muhammed Hussain, Studying Politics, Philosophy and Sociology at Coombe Sixth Form.
I conducted an interview with Tom Brake, who is the Liberal Democrat chief-whip and Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington.
Interviewer: What motivated you to become a politician?
Tom Brake: In the 1970s and 1980s when I first became politically aware and then active, there were many global environmental challenges; the environmental risks associated with the transport and disposal of nuclear waste, the impact of acid on the Scandinavian forests, the devastation caused to the ozone layer by CFC gases. I wanted to do something abot the risk to or environment and after spending some years campaigning locally with organisations like Greenpeace, I decided politics would be more effective.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to join the Liberal Democrat Party?
Tom Brake: Because the Liberal Party (as it was then called) had the strongest environmental policies, believed we were better off in Europe than ot and because the Liberal Party tried to identify the best solutions to problems instead of adopting an ideological knee-jerk response.
Interviewer: What were your favourite subjects at school?
Tom Brake: I enjoyed languages, but was good at sciences and ended up doing Physics at Uni.
Interviewer: During your teenage years, what was your biggest ambition?
Tom Brake: I was a late-developer! I only decided in my early twenties I wanted to be an MP.
Interviewer: From your perspective, what is so unique about Carshalton and Wallington?
Tom Brake: Carshalton and Wallington is in the unique position of being a London suburb which has strong local communities (or some would say villages), with many active charities, voluntary organisations and campaign groups. It is blessed with excellent schools and first rate parks and libraries. And I mustn't forget St Helier Hospital - one of the safest and, in some categories, highest-performing hospitals in the country. Carshalton and Wallington is a great place to live.
Interviewer: What advice would you like to give to the teenagers who want to enter the world of politics?
Tom Brake: If you have strong views about how our local community or country should change, politics is for you! You will need lots of energy, commitment and an ability to listen and understand people's concerns and to develop realistic solutions.
I conducted an interview with Tom Brake, who is the Liberal Democrat chief-whip and Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington.
Interviewer: What motivated you to become a politician?
Tom Brake: In the 1970s and 1980s when I first became politically aware and then active, there were many global environmental challenges; the environmental risks associated with the transport and disposal of nuclear waste, the impact of acid on the Scandinavian forests, the devastation caused to the ozone layer by CFC gases. I wanted to do something abot the risk to or environment and after spending some years campaigning locally with organisations like Greenpeace, I decided politics would be more effective.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to join the Liberal Democrat Party?
Tom Brake: Because the Liberal Party (as it was then called) had the strongest environmental policies, believed we were better off in Europe than ot and because the Liberal Party tried to identify the best solutions to problems instead of adopting an ideological knee-jerk response.
Interviewer: What were your favourite subjects at school?
Tom Brake: I enjoyed languages, but was good at sciences and ended up doing Physics at Uni.
Interviewer: During your teenage years, what was your biggest ambition?
Tom Brake: I was a late-developer! I only decided in my early twenties I wanted to be an MP.
Interviewer: From your perspective, what is so unique about Carshalton and Wallington?
Tom Brake: Carshalton and Wallington is in the unique position of being a London suburb which has strong local communities (or some would say villages), with many active charities, voluntary organisations and campaign groups. It is blessed with excellent schools and first rate parks and libraries. And I mustn't forget St Helier Hospital - one of the safest and, in some categories, highest-performing hospitals in the country. Carshalton and Wallington is a great place to live.
Interviewer: What advice would you like to give to the teenagers who want to enter the world of politics?
Tom Brake: If you have strong views about how our local community or country should change, politics is for you! You will need lots of energy, commitment and an ability to listen and understand people's concerns and to develop realistic solutions.
Interview: Tom Brake MP
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