Simon Kirby was born in Sussex in 1964. He was elected to represent Kemptown on East Sussex County Council in 1992, in 1995 he was elected to Brighton Borough Council and then Brighton & Hove Council in 1996. He's currently a cabinet member of East Sussex County Council. He also helped to set up the Brighton radio station now known as Juice FM. Simon is the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown. He's married with six children.

What was the last film you saw?
'This Is England - a 2007 drama written and directed by Shane Meadows. The film is about young skinheads and is set in England in July 1983. It illustrates that the skinhead culture, whose roots are associated with Jamaican culture, eventually became adopted by white nationalist groups such as the National Front. Disturbing, but a lesson to us all about tolerance.'

Is there a movie character who has inspired you?
'Jefferson Smith in Mr Smith Goes To Washington. James Stewart plays a naive young man who's appointed to fill a term in the Senate because the politicians in the state think he'll be easy to control. He makes some foolish decisions at first, but his honesty and concern for the boys of his state win him the support of his staff. When the corrupt politicians find him less easy to manipulate than they thought, they try to smear him. But he won't back down. His moral courage is what makes him a hero.'

What's your favourite film?
'It's A Wonderful Life, the 1946 classic. Perhaps we all need an angel to show us what life would have been like without us? The FBI's opinion, at the time, was that the film was an example of communist infiltration of the motion picture industry because of its obvious attempt to discredit bankers. Now, 60 years later, their view is strangely topical!'

Who's your big-screen sex symbol?
'Audrey Hepburn. Her portrayal of Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany's is her most memorable role.'

In The Loop: satirical fantasy or too close for comfort?
'The Guardian review says it all: ''Armando Iannucci's horribly brilliant comedy about this government's culture of spin and muddle... is a satirical, cynical nightmare on the subject of the run-up to the war in Iraq... complete with the nastiest of PR attack dogs and the dodgiest of dossiers. It conjures up a compelling backstairs political world of Labour's anxiety and incompetence, bullying and humiliation.'' A must-see for all would-be politicians!'

What plans do the Conservative Party have for the funding of British cinema?
'We think Labour's confused approach to the film tax credit has damaged the long-term sustainability of the British film industry.'

Do you think film has an important role to play in the local community?
'Yes. The Conservative Party are looking at ideas to enable regional screen agencies to enable the survival and development of local independent cinemas.'

'Re censorship, is the British Board of Film Classification getting it right or do there need to be changes?
We believe in the arm's length principle on issues such as this and we're supportive of the BBFC.'

Is the planned remake of Brighton Rock a good idea?
'Yes. The original is still fantastic and an insight into Brighton's history. The planned remake will be excellent publicity for both Brighton and Graham Greene's original book.'

And who would you like to play you in Simon Kirby: The Movie?
'My hair would dictate that it would have to be Hugh Grant!'

Colin Houlson