Anyone who supposed that when Margaret Thatcher left Number Ten she was going to take a Trappist vow did not know that formidable politician.

It is curious that atheists have proved to be so intolerant of those who have a faith.

Hong Kong's people will get what they want, despite China's objections. Freedom invariably wins in the end.

There is a sort of exotic preposterousness about a lot of elections, the way arguments are made even cruder.

So, what I say to people is that politics has got to be about principle and values above all. Of course, there are times when you have to make accommodations.

Those of us who had a perfectly happy childhood should be able to sue for deprivation of literary royalties.

It is a sort of great Victorian truth that actually, trying to do the right thing is pretty good for you and pretty good for business as well, by and large.