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23 December 2015

What are our politicians having for Christmas dinner?

Ed Balls has shared his Christmas soufflé recipe - but what about the others? Our mole imagines what politicians might be having for Christmas.

By Media Mole

Ed Balls has published a rather lovely Christmas recipe, for crab and Gruyère soufflé, in the Spectator. But what might the other veterans of May 2015 be having this Christmas?

Nigel Farage

I start the afternoon off with a pint. I like to spend Christmas out around ordinary, hard-working people, not flash politicians. So then it’s tweed jacket on, and a walk to the local for Christmas dinner. With a pint.

David Cameron

It’s tradition that makes this country great, and nowhere is tradition as important as in our Christmas roast. Goose is better than turkey, of course, but this year, Sam and I have reached back further. We’ve looked to one of my favourite schoolday Christmas carols, “The Boar’s Head”, to inspire our feast. I’ve used British pork from a nearby farm – as long as you keep it moist in the aga, it makes for a beautiful centrepiece.

The locals keep asking if I gave it a good wash first, but I can’t think what they mean.

Fergus Henderson’s Slow Roast Pig’s Head

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Natalie Bennett

Just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean breakfast isn’t the most important meal of the day. We’ll be starting the day with a bowl of granola.

Bon Appetit’s guide to making your own granola

Ed Miliband

Friends, it’s Christmas time. In our functional kitchenette, I’m on snack duty. After the year I’ve had, I’ve learnt to keep things manageable – preferably something that can be eaten in a single bite. This Christmas, I’ll be doing – apropos of nothing – bite-sized pigs in blankets. 

Nigella Lawson’s pigs in blankets

Nicola Sturgeon

With St Andrew’s Day at the end of November, and Burn’s Night coming up in January, we find it’s best to keep Christmas dinner light. This year, we’ll be honouring Scotland’s heritage with a whole roast salmon. The noble salmon’s swim upstream is an inspiration to the country – although I hear some south of the border might find it a little slippery…

Jamie Oliver’s whole roasted salmon stuffed with lemon and herb

Nick Clegg

Honestly, Miriam’s a much better cook than me.

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