Peter Briffa was born in England. Aside from his brief appearance on Kilroy, his closest brush with fame was when a play of his was produced at Sadler's Wells in 1996. It was savaged by the Times, murdered by the Independent, and crucified by the Jewish Chronicle; the Stage liked it, though. Peter blogs at publicinterest.co.uk.
Why do you blog? > I like the instant feedback. And it's better than shouting at the newspaper.
What has been your best blogging experience? > Being asked to write for the Times (of London).
What has been your worst blogging experience? > I once got into a blogwar about political correctness with some bloggers I actually respect. I was still right, though.
What would be your main blogging advice to a novice blogger? > Use a pseudonym.
What are your favourite blogs? > The girlies, mostly (they're on my blogroll). I even enjoy Avedon Carol.
Who are your intellectual heroes? > Roger Scruton; The Pope.
What are you reading at the moment? > I've just finished Syd Field's Screenplay. Story, by Robert McKee, was much better.
Who are your cultural heroes? > Anthony Burgess, Noel Coward, Robert Wyatt.
What is the best novel you've ever read? > Anna Karenina.
What is your favourite poem? > 'Vitai Lampada' by Sir Henry Newbolt
What is your favourite movie? > Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
What is your favourite song? > 'A Certain Kind' by the Soft Machine.
Can you name a major moral, political or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind? > I regarded myself as a socialist for two months or so when I was about 17. I find it very useful when I try and figure out what it is actually like to be Polly Toynbee.
Who are your political heroes? > Nicholas Ridley, Norman Tebbit, Alan Clark.
What is your favourite piece of political wisdom? > If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If you could effect one major policy change in the governing of your country, what would it be? > I would repeal the Human Rights Act.
If you could choose anyone, from any walk of life, to be Prime Minister, who would you choose? > Peter Cuthbertson.
What would you do with the UN? > Leave it.
Do you think the world (human civilization) has already passed its best point, or is that yet to come? > In terms of aesthetics, quite possibly. In terms of creature comforts I very much doubt it.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life? > It passes very quickly.
Do you think you could ever be married to, or in a long-term relationship with, someone with radically different political views from your own? > No.
What do you consider the most important personal quality? > Trust.
What personal fault do you most dislike? > Dishonesty.
Do you have any prejudices you're willing to acknowledge? > I really dislike mice.
What commonly enjoyed activities do you regard as a waste of time? > Shopping. Reading Hello magazine. Watching soap operas. Dogging.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do)? > New York. Malta.
What would your ideal holiday be? > The Cook Islands.
What would be your ideal choice of alternative profession or job? > Provided I could play my own records I think I'd quite enjoy being a DJ on Planet Rock.
Who are your sporting heroes? > Tony Greig, Jimmy White.
Which team(s) do you support? > Sussex County Cricket Club.
If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner who would they be? > Elizabeth Anscombe, Jennifer Lopez, Peter Cook.
[The normblog profile is a weekly Friday morning feature. A list of previous profiles, and the links to them, can be found here.]