Trying to cut the deficit too far, too fast isn't working. The government must adopt a steadier, more balanced plan to get our deficit down and take immediate action now to support the economy and create jobs here in Britain.

For the first time I'm free to be myself.

In 1925, when Britain went back to the gold standard, that was supported by the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Bank of England, the civil service, the CBI, the TUC, the Times, the Economist; that consensus was very strong.

The national deficit is not rising.

The thing about politics is to plan 10 years ahead, and assume every year is your last.

My mobile phone battery runs out all the time because all the messages come straight to me.

Saddam Hussein was a horrible man, and I am pleased he is no longer running Iraq. But the war was wrong.