The tragedy of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided in its wake.

Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television.

But Germany will always suffer, I fear, from the intensely dramatic character of the crimes of the Third Reich.

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe.

It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history, anxious to draw the right lessons from her teaching.

Ten Downing Street is a house, not an office. That is its most important characteristic.

Some people find it difficult to argue with a woman Prime Minister and shrivel up.