My idealism has not abated, but I have witnessed it withering away nationwide, to the point where at least among the young, to have ideals is akin to being blinkered and oldfashioned.

You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.

I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.

Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without. They have contributed hugely to Britain's success.

My favourite novel is Frederick Forsythe's Day Of The Jackal, the story about the unproven case of this apparent Englishman who was hired to assassinate De Gaulle….

We should have high expectations of our children, but politicians should not tell teachers how to meet them.