Nadine Dorries is Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire.

Why did you get involved in the political world?

I had sold my business and realised for the first time in my life I could do what I wanted, rather than what I had to. Politics was a passion I decided I wanted to turn into a reality.


When did you join your political party?

1996.


What is your earliest political memory?

A long answer I fear. At about six years old I stood with my dad at a bus stop in Liverpool, holding his hand. It was dark and raining heavily. The street lights were sulphur yellow and the rain came down with the force of stair rods - I can see the rain now silhouetted against the aura of the lights. A young man and a lady came into the pool of yellow light holding an umbrella. They recognised my dad and held the umbrella over us until the bus came. When we alighted the bus the windows were steamed up. I remember scrambling onto the seat, rubbing my hand on the glass and looking at the man and his wife walking away. He raised his hand and waved to me. I asked my dad who it was and he said: "That's Danny Doherty, he's the nicest man you will ever meet and he's a Tory". I had no idea what a Tory was or what he meant. Many years later, I was the candidate for the lonely Lib Dem held seat of Hazel Grove in Stockport. One dark wet night I sat in the office and opened the day’s mail. One letter contained a cheque for £500. It read: "Dear Chairman, please accept this cheque to help with Nadine's campaign. We have raised it by holding regular bingo nights. Her father was known to us and was the nicest man you could ever wish to meet." It was signed by Danny Doherty of the Liverpool Wavertree Conservatives. My father had died over 20 years earlier.


Which one law would you repeal?

The European Communities Act 1972. And redraft the EU in order that Europe functions within the context of a trading block removing the need for two European Parliament buildings, MEPs, and all associated costs.


Which one law would you introduce?

To reduce the upper limit at which abortions can take place.


What’s your favourite view in the world?

It's a night time view, from the beach, the Caribbean Sea in bright moonlight with lots of stars – made better if the turtles start to pop.


What’s your favourite political quotation?

"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." Sir Winston Churchill.


What music gets you up to dance?

Dancing Queen by ABBA and Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones.


If you could have been present at any debate in the House of Commons over the last three hundred years, which would it have been , and why?

Giving women the right to vote.


Imagine you are planning a dinner party, pick six people (living or dead) to invite

Coco Chanel, Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, Sir Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde.


What’s your favourite form of transport?

Skis.


What’s your favourite dish?

Steak and chips with pepper sauce and a really good salad with French dressing.


What’s the last thing you bought in a shop?

A skirt and perfume.


What’s the funniest You Tube video you’ve recently seen?

The introduction to the kids TV show Fraggle Rock – in Spanish!


What is the best speech you have ever heard (and been present at)?

David Cameron at last year's Conservative Party Conference – it was electrifying.


Who’s your favourite comedian?

Tommy Cooper – he is the only comedian who makes me laugh out loud.


Have you ever cried at a film? Which one(s)?

It's a Wonderful Life.


When was the last time you used public transport?

I use the train and tube every day.


When was the last time you went to the theatre and what did you see?

Mamma Mia with Iain Dale and his partner John Simmons.


Which newspapers do you read regularly?

The Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, The Sunday Times and the Sunday Telegraph.


Which websites do you visit regularly?

Err.. My own! Atlantic.com and ConservativeHome.


Which blogs do you love or hate?

Iain Dale’s Diary, Coffee House, ConHome, Dizzy. Not going to say which ones I hate, however, there are some very sad people out there!


Which magazines do you subscribe to?

Spectator, New Statesman and Vogue.


Which five words would your friends use about you?

I asked them on text to send me five, so these are their words not mine! Loving, loyal, caring, generous and kind.


Which five words would your enemies use about you?

Woman, outspoken, Tory, scouser and stubborn.


Are you into sport? If so, which ones?

No.


Who is your favourite football team and player?

Liverpool and Steven Gerrard, although I am developing a soft spot for the Hatters.


Who is your political hero?

Baroness Thatcher.


Who is your political hate figure?

Robert Mugabe.


What’s your most memorable time in politics?

The night I was selected for Mid Bedfordshire - I can almost remember every single minute.


What’s your most embarrassing moment in politics?

When Deputy Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst had enough of me breaking parliamentary protocol by using the word "you" in the Chamber and he let me have it with some force. I have not made that mistake since.


What’s your prediction for the next general election?

I don't want to predict. The Conservative Party just has to keep working our hardest and hope for the best.


Which football team do you support and how often do you get to see them play?

Liverpool and on TV only.


Who is your favourite and least favourite political interviewer?

Favourite: Andrew Neil. Least favourite: Michael Crick.


What do you never miss on TV?

I never get to watch television anymore, however I am taking the following boxed sets away on holiday with me: Desperate Housewives, Lost, 24 and The West Wing.


Which current foreign politician do you most admire?

Senator John McCain.


What do you listen to / watch when you get up in the morning?

The Today Programme.


Complete this sentence: The thing I hate about politics is...

How unpleasant some people can be if you simply don’t share their point of view.


Complete this sentence: The thing I love about politics is...

The ever changing story.


What would you like your political epitaph to be?

She significantly reduced the number of abortions that take place each year.