You had a rich and varied career before becoming an MP in 1997. Can you explain the way your life unfolded up to that point?
I was in my mid-fifties when I got into parliament and a third of my life had passed without me getting anywhere near to political power. I had remarkable early experiences working for the finance ministry in Kenya and as an elected Glasgow city councillor. Then periods in think tanks and international organisations – latterly working for Shell in scenario planning and as their chief economist. So I had lots of opportunities to read, research,...