Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.

The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

I'm not someone who dwells upon past events, taking the view that life is too short

I believe that access to a university education should be based on the ability to learn, not what people can afford. I think there is no more nauseating a sight than politicians pulling up the ladder of opportunity behind them.

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

Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.

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….