Failure, it is thought, is what sells, and what people want to hear and read about. I am not so sure.

Jeremy, are we going to play your games?

Greg Dyke is on record as saying that once the BBC was attacked, it was their job to defend themselves. But that is not their job.

As Tony [Blair] said in his book, Gordon [Brown] was brilliant and impossible. If he'd just been one of those things, the options are obvious.

My closest friend, who died not long ago, is buried near Marx's grave in Highgate cemetery, so I see the gaggle of admirers laying roses at the foot of his tombstone regularly. I have never been tempted to leave flowers there myself. Great theories, shame about the practice. Marx did many things. But inventing class was not one of them.

My aunty says I'm the double of my father. He was a workaholic, which I've definitely inherited. And like me, he could be the life and soul of the party, but also quite withdrawn.

I think I'm highly loveable.