You don't have to wait until people say they accept everything you say until you are actually prepared to sit down and discuss matters with them.
Chris PattenBut the ability to articulate what you are doing, to be clear about it, and to stick to it is, I think, the essence of political leadership.
Chris PattenIt is almost always wrong that the time isn't ripe to decide something. That is always said of difficult problems.
Chris PattenI think that what most surprises anybody who goes into politics from even a modestly cerebral background is the vulgarity of much of the cut and thrust of politics.
Chris Patten