, I am a trade union member and also took an active role in a well known campaign group 8/9 years ago.Politics was never something that was discussed when I was a kid growing up - although there was one memory of my Dad telling me a story about my Grandad when he was a kid.
I didn't know the reasoning behind events until I was a lot older (and my political beliefs had already been established).
When my Grandad was a kid, he witnessed events during the General Strike. He witnessed police charging an assaulting miners, their wives and kids in the street - all under orders from none other than Winston Churchill.
Events over those few days, shaped the political beliefs of my Grandad and did for a while, rub off onto my Dad (he was a member of the Young Communists at one point - something I only found out fairly recently).
As a kid, my folks wouldn't discuss politics in front of me or my brothers - which was possibly difficult, as Thatcher was PM at the time.
The only time I ever remember him discussing it, was when I asked him one night, whether he wanted Heseltine, Major or Hurd to replace Thatcher.
He gave his answer as Heseltine, which on reflection now - summed up his beliefs at the time. Although he didn't give a reason. Not sure I asked for one to be honest.
Despite all of that, growing up under Thatcher has probably made me the person I am now.
My youngest brother (who grew up under the last throws of the Tory's and the start of New Labour) is at Uni and to my surprise, has joined up with all sorts of left wing groups. Going to rallies up and down the country.
My middle brother, well he is the total opposite. Always was a strange kid
.My mam just laughs at the three of us and my Dad during the rare times we get together - particularly as my Dad has started to agree with some of Thatcher's policies and is edging further to that side of the fence.