4.4 • 13.7K Ratings
🗓️ 12 April 1987
⏱️ 31 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Julian Critchley is the Conservative MP for Aldershot and he's also a journalist and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he talks about his dual career and about his recreations, which include reading military history and looking at churches.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: September Song by Walter Huston Book: An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David Luxury: Case of wine
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0:00.0 | Hello I'm Krusty Young and this is a podcast from the Desert Island Discs archive. |
0:05.0 | For rights reasons we've had to shorten the music. |
0:08.0 | The program was originally broadcast in 1987 and the presenter was Michael Parkinson. Our castaway once described his 20-odd years as a member of parliament as being a life spent scrutinising the backs of the heads of members of one's own party for signs of intelligence. |
0:40.0 | He also once said that he was one of those rare Tories who can not only read but can also write. |
0:45.0 | This kind of irreverent observation probably accounts for the fact that he's never held government office. |
0:50.0 | But this is unlikely to worry him as he once stated that the ultimate accolade |
0:55.1 | in public life, rarer by far than the knighthood, was to be invited to appear on Desert Island discs. |
1:01.7 | He is Julianne Crichley., I take it then that this must be the proudest moment of your life. |
1:07.0 | It is. I'm almost lost for words, because you said that not only could I read and write write this really proves I can sing and dance as well |
1:14.7 | and if only more conservative MPs could sing and dance. A bit of show business you think? A little bit |
1:20.0 | yes why not. Have you been kind of the list around in your pocket for years then? |
1:24.0 | I've revised it from time to time, but I have had a list of sorts. |
1:28.0 | And would you think you might be any good on this desert down? You've arrived there, now you're finally there, you're finally on your own. |
1:34.0 | Well, I thought of inviting Mrs. Thatcher to come with me because I'm sure she would be able to put up a tent. |
1:40.0 | Otherwise, I would probably die of exposure and boredom. |
1:44.0 | And what about your choice of music? How have you gone about that? |
1:46.5 | I mean, are they your particularly favorite piece of music or has every piece got a memory for you? |
1:51.5 | I think they all have, except for one, they have memories, mainly |
1:55.8 | romantic, I must confess. There are one or two that I've included in order to show off because quite |
2:01.7 | clearly we conservatives are vulnerable to the |
2:04.6 | charge that we are the stupid party so there are one or two that are rather |
2:08.6 | boastful but in the main they are sentimental and nostalgic. |
... |
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