Danny on Stella
First impressions?
She comes across very impressively. She seems very motivated in doing what she does, and I enjoyed the conversation.
What did you talk about?
Politics, what motivated us to get involved, how to engage people more in it. And about music and being Photoshopped.
What did you agree on?
That we want to live in a country that is more socially mobile, where people have the best opportunity to make the best of their lives, whatever circumstances they come from; about how people can work together across parties, and how we want politics to be more engaging with people in the community.
What did you disagree on?
How to achieve those things. You often find when you talk to politicians from other parties that there’s a motivation in common, even if your ideology and opinions take you in a different direction when it comes to achieving it. We disagreed on music, too.
Any awkward moments?
The whole experience! Being set up on a blind date by the Guardian, in a public place. Actually, I really enjoyed it, because Stella is an interesting person, and politics does need to be more cooperative.
Why should people vote for her?
She is sincerely committed to issues. That is a very important quality in a local MP.
Why shouldn’t they vote for her?
Because, as a member of the Labour party, she’s wrong about a lot of things.
Would you introduce her to colleagues and friends?
Of course. I invited her to a pub quiz, but she is more ambitious about her pub quizzes than I am.
Describe her politics in three words:
Socialist, cooperative, progressive.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
The whole situation was so artificial, but what was good about it was just sitting down and having a cup of coffee with an MP from another party. That is quite unusual.
Would you form a coalition?
That is a matter for the British people to decide. But whether you’re in opposition or government, you often get things done by working with politicians from other parties, on campaigns and single issues, and I can definitely see myself working with Stella in years to come.
Would you meet again?
I’m sure we will in the course of business, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Marks out of 10?
It’s the first date I’ve had since 1996, so I’d have to say 10 out of 10.
Stella on Danny
First impressions?
He’s very tall. He seems a very nice, thoughtful person. I disagree with him about lots of things, but I don’t think he’s coming at this job without having thought about it.
What did you talk about?
What it’s like being in coalition, because I was curious about his experience of it. I was surprised to hear that the Lib Dems had been planning for it.
What did you agree on?
That politics needs to be different – that it doesn’t work for either public or politicians to work in what I call Hogwarts-gone-wrong.
What did you disagree on?
The priorities. I passionately think this government is failing on social mobility; he doesn’t. Music. I’m definitely not a metalhead, I’m an indie kid through and through. Just like his politics, he’s mistaken.
Any awkward moments?
The whole setup was awkward. Actually, in this place, you don’t get to meet people even within your own party. It’s set up in such a way that it’s 650 sole operators. But knowing the person before you walk into a room to have a conversation is useful, and we don’t have a structure here for that to happen.
Why should people vote for him?
Not for his political beliefs, but for his personal commitment to his community.
Why shouldn’t they vote for him?
Because the political perspective of the Lib Dems will hold this country back. The changes Danny talked about in terms of the tax system aren’t very socially progressive. For me, the biggest challenge facing Britain is how to create social mobility.
Would you introduce him to colleagues and friends?
Of course. It seems very sad to me that people think tribally, that you can’t talk to people with whom you disagree.
Describe his politics in three words:
Thoughtful, rooted, mistaken.
What do you think he made of you?
I hope he thought I was fun, kind and secretly right.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
I wouldn’t have met in parliament! Anybody using parliament to try to charm somebody is on a losing wicket.
Would you form a coalition?
It’s not for me to judge. It would be for the public to make that choice. I don’t see that opportunity coming up at the moment.
Would you meet again?
I’ve no doubt we’ll meet again – in five minutes, in the lobby, when there’s a vote.
Marks out of 10?
7. For the banter.
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