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.

I 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.

In democracy everyone has the right to be represented, even the jerks.

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.

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

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