In 2001, David contested the general election as parliamentary candidate in Brighton Pavilion which saw a 1.6% swing to the Conservatives from Labour. David was the Conservative party candidate for the Eltham constituency, chosen by the public to contest the seat at the 2010 election.
In his spare time David enjoys theatre, cinema, travel, and suppers with friends. He contributed to A Blue Tomorrow: New Visions from Modern Conservatives (Politico's Publishing 2001) and has written for a variety of newspapers and magazines.
- When you were at Brighton College, what did you want to be when you ‘grew-up’?
I wanted to be a lawyer and then an MP. It’s gone terribly well so far – I flunked my law exams and having stood for Parliament twice, I have yet to sit on the green benches. Third time lucky? - What are you now you've grown up?
Head of Public Affairs at Royal Mail Group plc. - What is your best memory of school?
There are so many. Those that spring to mind are performances in Salad Days and Three Sisters; inviting Denis Goldberg, (a white South African Jew and ANC campaigner who received 4 terms of life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial in 1964), to address the sixth form; Glen McCready reading us horror stories in junior dormitory after lights out. Above all, lots of laughter. - What was the best piece of advice you were given
Always learn from your mistakes, never waste time on regrets. - What do you do /did you do as a career
I work in public affairs, providing strategic and political advice, reputation management and policy engagement. - What does your job involve?
I provide strategic political advice and intelligence. It’s also my responsibility to identify legislative proposals or policy developments that may impact on our business and to advise the Chief Executive and other Directors on our response. My remit covers Westminster, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly, the European Parliament and UK local government. I liaise with other key stakeholders including government departments, the trade unions and business groups. - What are the most challenging parts of your job?
There's a huge amount of reading and there are so many different issues to juggle at one time. Currently I’m handling the final stages of the Postal Services Bill, preparing for a State Aid application to Europe, working on a submission to the postal regulator and liaising with about a dozen MPs on why we are closing delivery offices in their constituencies. And as much as I need to be proactive, I often have to respond to unexpected developments very quickly. - What have you done that you are most proud of?
I have stood for Parliament twice, and though I was not elected, I am proud that I stood up for what I believed. - What is the single thing that would most improve the quality of your life?
More hours in the day. - What are the three objects you would take with you to a desert island?
An album of photographs to remind me of friends and family; my Waterman fountain pen and a very large notebook so I could record my thoughts. - How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who did not take himself too seriously.