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David Davis MP

Kirsty Young's castaway is politician David Davis MP.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the Conservative politician David Davis. Born just before Christmas in 1948 to a single mother he was brought up in poverty in first York and then London. He says that he learnt early on the importance of not running away from a challenge and his grandfather and step-father taught him how to face up to his own fears.

He went on to join the SAS through the territorial army and, during his career at Westminster, has earned the nicknames 'Bone Crusher' and 'Bovver Boy'. Yet he shocked his own party when, in June last summer, he stood down as Shadow Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Secretary and announced he was going to campaign against what he saw as a fundamental assault by the government on our civil liberties. In this personal interview, he describes the anxieties that beset him as he made that decision - and the extent to which his political life changed as a result of it.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Un Bel Di - One Fine Day by Kiri Te Kanawa
Book: The complete works by Iain Banks
Luxury: A magic wine cellar which never runs out.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Nov 2008 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Allan Ahlberg

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Janet Street-Porter

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Music Played

  • Johann Pachelbel

    Canon in D major

    • The Best of Baroque.
    • EMI.

  • P!nk

    Get The Party Started

    • Get the Party Started.
    • Arista.

  • Phil Collins

    Another Day In Paradise

    • But Seriously.
    • Virgin.

  • Jay Ungar & Molly Mason

    The Ashokan Farewell

    • Classical Chillout.
    • Virgin.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Kiri Te Kanawa

      Un Bel Di - One Fine Day

      • Verdi/Puccini: Arias: Kiri Te Kanawa.
      • CBS.

  • ²Ρ³ά²Τ»ε²β–T³ά°ω²Τ±π°ω

    Stealing My Democracy

    • Ha’Penny Tweedle.
    • Gypsy Records.

  • Dire Straits

    Brothers in Arms

    • Brothers in Arms.
    • Vertigo.

  • John Williams

    Theme from Schindler's List

    • Schindler’s List soundtrack.
    • MCA.

  • Book Choice

    • The complete works - Iain Banks

  • Luxury Choice

    • A magic wine cellar which never runs out

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest David Davis

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Nov 2008 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 21 Nov 2008 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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