Q: If interest rates rise do you think it will drive up unemployment figures?

High interest rates will adversely affect a range of businesses. We're already seeing how mortgage rate rises and a cutback in lending has affected the housing market and brought about the closure of estate agencies. Greater hardship caused by rate rises will impact on consumers and when people begin pulling in the reins we're likely to see the effect of this across the retail and leisure industries.

Exporting will be tougher and ultimately when companies need to take measures to weather the storm or are unable to sustain a business downturn, sadly unemployment will rise.

Q. Do you think now is a good time to invest in company shares as there are some at bargain prices?

The Stock Market has traditionally always outperformed deposits. And I believe now could be a good time to buy. Stocks and shares are not for the dabbler or those looking for a quick return, which rules me out. Fund managers still get it wrong. For me the Stock Market should be avoided unless you have ample spare funds to play with and access to the very best advice and the patience and time to sit and wait.

Q. Irish voters were allowed to vote on the EU's Lisbon Treaty; do you think the same rights should be accorded to UK voters?

I have a sneaking suspicion that governments only grant the public a referendum when they're sure we'll give them the result they want. I may be wrong here, but didn't Tony Blair promise a referendum on this and then change his mind? I can't help feeling that most of the time the electorate is considered an inconvenience by politicians. As voters we have to place our trust in them hoping that with inside knowledge they have a better understanding of the big picture. . .as history has shown though, this is often not the case.

Q. Do you think David Davis's resignation as Tory MP could cost the Conservatives victory at the next election?

Definitely not. I think it's a political strategy that perhaps David Cameron wasn't entirely up for. While Davis may be committed to upholding human rights, there are probably many other politicians who feel just the same.

That neither of the two major parties may not stand against him means nothing, he had a majority of more than 5,000, so he'll go straight back in, albeit as a backbencher. The 42-day motion will in any case be hotly debated in the House of Lords, so other than drawing attention to David Davis, I cannot see what his action will have achieved.