For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.

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.

I have never once been persuaded as to the causal link between the Iraqi regime, al-Qaeda and September 11. I do believe the impact of war under these circumstances is bound to weaken the international coalition against terrorism itself.

I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.

I am genuinely not an over-the-top kind of person about politics or anything else.

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

Actually, I think it's quite sensible not to take yourself too seriously.