Constituency: St Albans
Age: 48
Marital Status/Family: Married with four children (three from first marriage with my late husband and one with my second husband)
Educated: Bishop of LLandaff Secondary School in Cardiff; BA Hons English Degree from Swansea University. Postgraduate Certificate of Education from Sheffield University
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU WERE AN MP?
Councillor and mum (formerly a teacher).
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AT SCHOOL?
Able, but not outstanding. More of a worker than a star - "hopeless at physics", to quote my teacher. My favourite subject was art at which I excelled.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO POLITICS?
I have always enjoyed working with people, and after succumbing to the old "lie": "You won't have to do much as a councillor", I got totally involved in local politics through a desire to get things done in my local community.
WHAT'S THE BEST/WORST THING ABOUT BEING AN MP?
Worst - people who are not of your political views often have to pick arguments/re-run old elections or expect me to have the answer to everything.
Best - meeting loads of interesting people and having the chance to ask all those burning questions that come up on topics such as housing provision, third world poverty, animal welfare, etc.
WHO IS YOUR HERO?
Margaret Thatcher- love her or hate her she restored us back to the world stage and put us on a sound economic course that has brought huge benefits for this country. She inspired ordinary blue collar families like mine to aim high.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SONG/PIECE OF MUSIC?
It's a hard choice, but pop song it would have to be Lady Midnight by Leonard Cohen; hymn would be "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" and classical would be The Slaves Chorus.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FASHION SENSE?
I scrub up well but am not afraid to get dirty or get my hair messed up. I like glamour and elegance with a tousled edge and always prefer anything in black.
WHAT'S YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD NIGHT OUT?
A good night out would be with friends in a good restaurant - not necessarily expensive. I am as happy in a pub as a top hotel.
WHAT CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
Being blonde, I can't live without mascara unless I want to look as if I'm ill. My dog and my microwave are also top billing.
TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU
I never use alarm clocks and always wake up at the time I want to.
CONTACT DETAILS:
maina@parliament.uk
http://www.stalbansconservatives.com/
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 01727 825100
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