Ed Miliband's My London

What advice would you give a tourist?
Londoners are generally very polite as long as you're careful to do two things: always stand to the right on escalators, and always allow people off the Tube before getting on.

Which shops do you rely on?
Monsoon, the Indian takeaway around the corner from my house; the Tesco on Swain's Lane; and the canteen in Portcullis House, where I more often than not grab a sandwich for lunch.

Who are your heroes?
My biggest heroes growing up were sportsmen: Geoffrey Boycott, Alex Higgins and Jimmy Connors. Grit, determination and some talent as well.

What's your earliest London memory?
Walking to my primary school in Primrose Hill.

Which are your favourite pubs?
The Dartmouth Arms and the North London Tavern in Kilburn, which will always hold fond memories for me. I watched the World Cup Final there with volunteers on my leadership campaign last summer.

What are you most afraid of?
I worry that too many people still aren't alert to the threat of climate change.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?
Develop a new housing programme for Londoners. It's a big issue for young people and for people who work hard to get on in life, but still find it really difficult to afford a decent home.

What's your life philosophy?
To stick to my principles of working hard and staying honest, to be a good dad and to enjoy life with a sense of humour.

What would you save from a fire?
My family, some photos of my dad and a few letters.

Who makes you laugh?
My partner Justine, my sons Daniel and Samuel, and Larry David.

What makes you cry?
Loss, loneliness and happy endings.

What is your favourite London discovery?
Primrose Hill Books on Regent's Park Road. I've been going there for at least 20 years. Jessica and Marek who own it are great people.

What are you up to at the moment?
Talking about how the Conservative-led government is breaking promises and damaging the next generation's chances of getting on in life.

Tell me something I don't know about London...
My Dad is buried in Highgate Cemetery. It is an extraordinary place, full of sadness and yet a place to mark some amazing lives and people.

Which is your favourite London street for shopping?
York Rise in NW5 is handy for newspapers, coffee and food. It's got quite a villagey feel. Lots of people stop to chat outside the paper shop and the pub.

What was the last album you bought or downloaded?
So Runs the World Away by Josh Ritter. It's fantastic.

What's the best meal you've had in London?
Moro on Exmouth Market. We went there and had mezze for my partner Justine's 40th. It was fantastic.

What are your guilty pleasures?
I'm a huge fan of Desperate Housewives, especially Teri Hatcher's character, Susan.

What do you most like wearing?
When I get home in the evening or at weekends I like to get out of a suit and put on jeans and a jumper and relax.

Where did you last go on holiday?
I was in Chichester for Christmas with my family, Cornwall last summer, and the year before that we went to France.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?
I once arrived at my school disco in my parents' car, incredibly badly dressed.

Have you ever stolen anything?
Never. I do have a computer memory stick that belongs to one of my team, but I intend to give it back one day.

LUCY HUNTER JOHNSTON