By Jonathan Isaby
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Which newly-elected Tory MP has been described by former England footballer Ian Wright as "a nice approachable bloke"?
- Which of the Class of 2010 wants Remembrance Day to be made a public holiday?
- Which of the new intake once worked as a magician's assistant?
- Which Conservative MP declares his trouser press to be his favourite gagdet?
- Which of the 2010 Tory intake has a burning desire to standardise the age of majority at which people can drink, smoke, vote, join the armed forces etc?
Should you be seeking the answers to any of the above questions, then you now need look no further than The Class of 2010, which has been published by WeberShandwick and Total Politics.
Although steeply priced at £50 (though available on Amazon at £47.50), it's a book which ought to be on the reference shelf on any self-respecting politico.
The intake from the 2010 general election has hugely rejuvenated the House of Commons and this book profiles all 232 of their number (of whom no fewer than 147 are Conservatives). There are basic biographical details for all new MPs, along with extended questions and answers (not dissimilar to ConHome's Class of 2010 feature) for a good clutch of their number as well.
At 336 pages, it's a pretty comprehensive guide to the new boys and girls – all of whom were asked to proof their own entry for factual errors (although I do know of one MP whose changes were not taken into account and has managed to gain a spouse in the process).
And if you were wondering about the questions above the answers are: 1. Chris Heaton-Harris. 2. Damian Collins. 3. Penny Mordaunt. 4. Chris Pincher. 5. Jason McCartney.