I suppose I've always carried what is regarded as a bit of unnecessary baggage in Britain. I've always carried the charge that I am an intellectual in politics.

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.

But 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.

It is almost always wrong that the time isn't ripe to decide something. That is always said of difficult problems.

It'd make a wonderful change to have the leader of a pluralist democracy who acted on that, who told people just how tough things are going to be, just what's going to have to be done - and, maybe, ran all the risks on the side of honesty, rather than spinning stories and trying to win the headlines every day.

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

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