I recently interviewed our local MP Alistair Strathern. I knew he was a genuine Hitchin Town supporter so was interested to know how this came about. I also wanted to know about his football background as well as his journey in to politics. In the course of the interview I learned of connections between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Hitchin Town FC.

I started the interview by asking Alistair about his football background. He said he was pretty bad at football, never quite mastering his first touch! He was a defensive midfielder and played for his school and junior teams. His parents had no interest in football but they realised Alistair was keen and took him to buy his first football shirt when he was 6 years old. At this time he had not chosen a team to follow and he chose the shirt based on his favourite colour which was purple. It was actually a Burnley shirt he bought but all his friends thought it was an Aston Villa shirt so he decided he would be an Aston Villa supporter. This became a lifetime passion and he is a Villa season ticket holder.

His parents took him to Villa Park for a few games each season. His heroes included Dwight Yorke, Dion Dublin and Swedish defender Olof Mellberg. Alistair was born in Wandsworth but moved to Sharnbrook when he was 2 years old. His non league team was Rushden & Diamonds, who he watched on a few occasions. He then went to Oxford University where he watched some Oxford United games as well as continuing to watch Aston Villa. While at university Alistair became interested in politics and became involved in the Labour Party. He was inspired by Oxford MP Andrew Smith who came from working class roots and did his best to help the less fortunate in society. Alistair became chairman of the Oxford University Labour Club and stood for election to Oxford City Council and finished fourth.

On leaving Oxford Alistair became a teacher in Harlow for several years, before returning to his economics roots to join the Bank of England, working in climate risk insurance. He became a councillor for the Higham Hill ward of Waltham Forest London Borough Council and served from 2014 to 2023. At this time Alistair felt both the rewards and frustration of local politics but he had a good work/life balance and still had his Villa season ticket. But in 2023 Alistair was thinking of moving out of London and, after encouragement from friends and family, he applied to be the Labour candidate for the Mid Beds constituency. Nadine Dorries had announced she was going to stand down. Alistair was chosen as the candidate but faced a daunting challenge as Dorries had a majority of 24,664 at the last election and Labour were expected to finish third. But Alistair won with a majority of 1,192 in a most unexpected victory. Alistair had to give up his job to fight the by-election and was on unpaid leave for four months, putting pressure on him and his partner Megan financially. The by-election saw the big guns of both Labour and Conservative make appearances.

Alistair moved to Shefford and this saw him want to represent his new locality and he applied to be the candidate for the new Hitchin constituency. He was chosen and won with a majority of 8,109. Alistair came to Top Field for his first Hitchin game before he was elected. He told me he immediately thought Hitchin was a special club and loved the ground. He became a proper supporter and has brought friends to games who have also been won over by Top Field. Since being elected as an MP demands on his time means he cannot get to as many games as he would like but he is determined to arrange his diary in the future to leave room for visits to Top Field as well as Villa Park. Alistair is fully behind the efforts to improve the match day experience at Top Field and praised the great work the volunteers do. He urged more supporters to experience the unique Top Field atmosphere. He has noticed how there are more family groups, women and young supporters attending games and praised the club for ground improvements.

Alistair was responsible for Sir Keir Starmer holding an election rally at Top Field and was pleased to see Hitchin Town FC featured on national television improving the club's profile. On the day of the rally Alistair gave his Hitchin Town scarf to Sir Keir and apparently, he still has it! Alistair told me Sir Keir asks how Hitchin are doing when they meet. He is a big football fan and an ardent Arsenal follower. Alistair has subsequently bought a replacement Hitchin Town scarf! He ended by telling me how watching a Hitchin game is a great release from the pressures of being an MP but like all supporters he suffers the highs and lows and hopes our fortunes improve.

Many thanks to Alistair for spending so much time with me to produce this interview.