Name: Phil Booth
Profession? I’m the national co-ordinator of the No2id campaign, set up in 2004 in direct response to the government’s plans to introduce a national identity card and national registration system, still very much on track despite the change in PM. There’s everything to play for, though, with all the political opposition lined up. Even the Tories are vehemently opposed.
Are you local? I was born and bred in Lewes, but my father was an academic, and we moved away when I was still a child. I came back in 2000, and I’ve been living here ever since. Now we have a little babby, so we have set down roots.
What do you like about the place? Its attitude. You can go into a pub and you’ll be having a good conversation straight away. Everyone’s got a take on the world and they’re not afraid to express it. I’ve lived around the country and I find the people here have the directness I found in Yorkshire, and the pride of place I found in South Wales. Plus there’s a long history of good political thinkers here: when we got married we had the reception in the White Hart, home of the Headstrong Club.
Anything you don’t like? Like most places there’s not much for teenagers to do round here.
What’s your favourite pub? The Lewes Arms, or the Lamb. I know the landlord there. Unfortunately they don’t sell Harveys.
What’s your poison? A pint of Best. Every time? Every time it’s on.
What did you have for breakfast? A cigarette and a cup of coffee. Fair Trade filter coffee.
How would you spend a perfect Sunday afternoon? Having a really nice picnic with other dads and mums in the Grange Gardens. A nice cup of tea from the hole in the wall really hits the spot.