My London: Zac Goldsmith

Home is…

Barnes, in my constituency. It’s a village in a city, and a close-knit community.

Where would you recommend for a first date?

Kew Gardens is a jewel; almost any part of it is date-worthy.

Last play you saw?

My youngest daughter’s Christmas play, which was bliss. And I recently saw my friend Nic Careem’s production of And Then They Came For Me, a play based on the life of Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss.

What’s the best meal you’ve had in London?

Mutton rolls at Manjal in South Quay a few weeks ago. Totally delicious.

Which shops do you rely on?

Londis in Barnes for food — it’s the closest shop to my home and the staff are friendly; Bowleys in Richmond for shoes — it burned down last year and I cut the ribbon to reopen it; Marie’s in Barnes for coffee; and Mr Tanna’s chemist in Ham for nicotine gum.

What would you do if you were Mayor of London for a day?

I’d be depressed if it ended that quickly…

Earliest London memory?

Running away from nursery school and asking a pub owner to take me home. My uniform gave me away and a teacher collected me.

Biggest extravagance?

Black cabs. I used to use them to work and make calls. Nowadays they lobby me about Uber and bike lanes, so I just use them to be on time.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you in London?

I was sent roses by a constituent for Valentine’s Day. She was 101.

Which is your favourite pub?

As an MP, I’ve done hundreds of public meetings in pubs. I particularly like the Canbury Arms in Kingston.

What’s the best thing a London cabbie has ever said to you?

‘No offence, mate, but your leader’s a bit of an odd one, isn’t he?’ (He thought I was Tristram Hunt.)

Favourite London discovery?

Literally? My nephew took me metal-detecting in Ham the other day and just as I was moaning about digging up a Coke can, he found a King Charles coin.

Last album you bought?

The soundtrack to Frozen — my daughter’s obsession.

Who’s your hero?

David Attenborough. For as far back as I can remember. I love that my kids are as inspired by him as I was.

Who do you call when you want to have fun in London?

My brother Ben. He’s the best company in the world.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My father said, ‘If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.’

Building you’d like to be locked in overnight?

The Natural History Museum, with my kids.

What do you collect?

I’ve had lots of notes stuck to my window by left-wing activists. I keep the best ones. More to come in the next 90 days, I imagine…