Was given the opportunity to visit the House of Commons and meet Alistair Darling, the cabinet minister for Transport. We have a photo opportunity but Darling delays proceedings by insists on combing his hair first! I don't have that problem any more.
I am down to talk about road safety, specifically on the A14. Road safety is a priority he says that's why there is a road safety bill going through the Commons and the number of deaths is down 22% since Labour came to power.
I asked him about free bus travel for all pensioners like in Scotland. He says that he is "not sure how many people use inter-regional buses". A fair point but he goes on "We don't have the money at the moment". And where is the money going? "On the railways. But they are getting better". I agree.
We have a brief discussion about the Stockbridge part of Edinburgh where he used to live (and where my brother lived nearby). "Not in my constituency any more, unfortunately" he says ruefully.
Darling comes over as competent and a safe pair of hands. He is probably ideally suited for making steady progress in Transport.
