Features / Bristicles
13 things you probably didn’t know about Bristol’s MPs
Labour swept to victory with a clean sweep of Bristol’s four parliamentary seats in May’s General Election. We’ve done some digging into the city’s new and reelected MPs to get to know the people behind the politicians.
1. Darren Jones (Bristol North West) was almost the face of Milky Bar
is needed now More than ever
Things could have turned out very differently for the lawyer-turned-politician if his early bid for child stardom had been successful, but alas he was ultimately turned down for the role of Milky Bar kid – allegedly for being too tall.
2. Thangam Debbonaire’s (Bristol West) first cello performance was at a Swedish prison
The former professional cellist played for an audience of life sentence prisoners when she was just 10 years old. She was paid £50 in Swedish kroner and one of the inmates brought her a chocolate bar from the prison shop.
3. Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) is a long term Joy Division fan
They were her favourite band growing up. The music-loving vegan has also seen New Order play live on at least 20 different occasions.
4. Thangam has a pet hedgehog
Well, sort of. The pint-size prickly creature who regularly pops into her back garden has been named ‘Hedgy’ and Thangam installed a special hedge-home from the Woodland Trust to welcome her nocturnal visitor.
5. Karin Smyth (Bristol South) has buses in her blood
The Bristol South MP has spoken out against bus service cuts throughout her career and it’s not surprising she feels strongly about the mode of transport, considering her dad was a bus driver and her mum a conductor.
6. Kerry received a Pussy Riot invite
At the invitation of their defence team, the former lawyer travelled to Russia to see the closing of Pussy Riot’s trial in 2012.
7. Darren’s Muse mix-up
While president of the Student Union at Plymouth University, Darren attended a breakfast, at which Muse were among the guests of honour. He sat next to Matt Bellamy and, having no idea who he was, asked the famous lead singer what he did for a living.
8. Karin has an affection for alliteration
The former NHS manager obviously has a penchant for repetitive prose and used three-word alliterative phrases 33 times in debates – well above the average for MPs, according to democracy website www.theyworkforyou.com.
9. Thangam is starry-eyed
The Montpelier resident loves space-gazing and owns a telescope, through which she has seen Saturn, with its rings, whilst glamping in the Brecon Beacons dark skies reserve.
10. Kerry’s small-screen debut
The Bristol East MP appeared on the popular eighties game show Blockbusters in 1983.
11. Darren is a saxophonist
In keeping with Bristol MPs’ musical roots, the newest member of the group is a jazz saxophonist in his spare time.
12. Thangam’s fingerless gloves
The creative MP knits fingerless mittens for her campaign volunteers and always has a pair in progress.
13. 75 per cent of Bristol MPs are vegan
All but Karin are committed to an entirely plant-based diet and Thangam revealed she often tucks into a delicious coffee walnut that she has named ‘The Kerry,’ after her colleague who inspired her to give up animal products.
Read more: 10 things you probably didn’t know about Hartcliffe
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