Simon Hughes gives 20 answers

Where would you like your mortal remains to go?
With mother, father, paternal grandparents and other family in the churchyard of St Twrog, Maentwrog, Meirionnydd.

When did you last pray?
Today.

Why did you last pray?
To say thank you for my good health and bringing me with so many blessings to this milestone in my life.

Who was your first pet?
Mackie – a black Labrador cross – and two white doves.

Pick three words to describe your faith.
Fundamental, unwavering, wonderful.

What is your favourite hymn?
“Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”.

Do you dance?
Yes, ma’am.

Does God have a sense of humour?
If God has all the good qualities of the humans who are God’s creation, then I have to presume yes.

Are things getting better or worse?
Better for more, though sadly worse for still too many.

What makes you laugh?
Loads of things – people above all.

What was your favourite school subject?
English literature.

What is your proudest achievement?
Helping to bring the killers of Jamie Robe to justice or to secure asylum for people like Mehdi Kazemi [the gay teenager from Iran].

Which Old Testament character would you most like to meet?
Samuel – “Here I am, Lord!”

What is your karaoke choice?
“Simply the Best.”

What is in your pockets?
Too much.

Who was your childhood hero?
Maria Bueno and Sandra Reynolds – Wimbledon tennis players.

What is your favourite bit of the Bible?
The book of Isaiah.

What is your least favourite bit of the Bible?
I don’t have a least favourite – to be honest I don’t know all the books well enough!

What is the best thing in the zoo?
I’m instinctively against zoos, but the most human of animals are the most fun!

What is your favourite phrase from another language?
Bendigedig from Welsh (“wonderful”) and fenomenal from Spanish (“phenomenal”).

What would be your one question to God?
No question, surprisingly, but just “Lord, have mercy.”

Is there life after death?
Of course – that is what I believe, and truly.

What is your favourite time of year?
Spring (also includes my birthday).

What is your most favoured charity?
Water Aid.

Simon Hughes was the Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey and North Southwark from 1983 until 2015. He was the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2010 to 2014, and was Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties from 2013 to 2015. He is Head of Public Affairs for the Open University

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This article was published in the June 2016 edition of  Reform.