Getting to know... Mike Penning

What is your favourite food?

Sausage and mash.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin – released in late 1971, the track is often referred to as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

Favourite quote?

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing – attributed to Edmund Burke, an Irish author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher, who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party.

Favourite thing to do to relax?

Watch sport or relax and enjoy a drink or meal with friends and family.

What is the one thing you hate the most?

Shopping.

If you could have 5 famous people for dinner – past or present – who would you pick and why?

1. Nelson Mandela

2. Lady Thatcher

3. Former England international footballer Jimmy Greaves

4.Retired racing driver Nigel Mansell

5. Simon Weston, Falklands veteran known for charity work after suffering burn injuries
A mixture of friends, the first lady Prime Minister and Simon who was recently named the greatest living hero.

If you knew the world was ending in 2015, what would you do differently?

Spend more time with the family.

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be and why?

Past – England winning the World Cup in 1966.

What was the last film you watched?

Jack Reacher – a 2012 American thriller film adaptation of Lee Child’s 2005 novel One Shot. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film stars Tom Cruise as the titular character.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Rescue children as a firefighter or attend road accidents.

What’s the best or worst gift you have ever given or received?

Best gift – the birth of my daughters.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A soldier. (Mike enlisted in the British Army as a Grenadier Guardsman after leaving school, and served several tours in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Germany before leaving. He later became a fireman and trained in journalism before moving into politics.)

How would you like to be remembered?

By making a difference.

What is your favourite thing to do or place to visit in Dacorum?

Going to see the bluebell woods in Ashridge.

We want to Get To Know many more people from Dacorum – if you want to be featured in this very slot, email over your answers to our 14 questions along with a few lines about yourself, where you live and a photograph to [email protected]!