Danny Alexander is featured in today’s Guardian Q & A. It’s a strange feature that is sometimes contradictory, sometimes very revealing and sometimes just a little too on message for comfort. But then, he’s not talking to Liberal Democrat members, he’s talking to the wider public so if there was no mention of a stronger economy or fairer society, it would probably be a bit of a missed opportunity. When we are sick of hearing something, it’s only just starting to get through to the wider public. He even recognises himself, though, that he might over-use “The mess Labour left behind.”

The living person he admires most is Malala Yousafzai:

…such a brave young woman who will not be moved from her desire to see leaders everywhere give their young citizens the education they deserve.

There’s a warning for those who might try to intimidate him:

I’m not easily scared

When asked for the trait he most deplores in himself, he says that he tries not to focus on the negative, although later he does admit that he thinks he’s put on too much weight lately. That might have something to do with his guilty pleasure – Irn Bru. As an aside, this is as good an opportunity as ever to have a look at their brilliant Snowman advert.

His  favourite word is “dreich”, a description of miserable, grey damp weather. Maybe as a highlander he sees that as a positive. That part of the world is gorgeous whatever the weather.

He was a bit preachy when asked what his worst ever job was.

Work is a good thing, so I wouldn’t complain about any of the jobs I’ve done, even cleaning hotel toilets.

Lyndon Johnson gets two mentions, which will please our Nick Thornsby, one for favourite book and one as an ideal dinner party guest.

Raising the tax threshold and “making coalition work” are cited as two of his greatest achievements.

He wants Damian Lewis to play him in the movie of his life and wants to be remembered for:

For taking the tough but necessary decisions that built the foundations of a stronger economy in a fairer society.

 

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