If politicians lived on praise and thanks they'd be forced into some other line of business.

We are the trade union for pensioners and children, the trade union for the disabled and the sick... the trade union for the nation as a whole.

You mustn't expect prime ministers to enjoy themselves. If they do, they mustn't show it - the population would be horrified.

Do you know what Margaret Thatcher did in her first Budget? Introduced VAT on yachts! It somewhat ruined my retirement.

I am not a product of privilege, I am a product of opportunity.

Pitt the Younger was a great British Prime Minister. He saved Europe from Napoleon, he was the pilot who weathered the storm. I don't know whether he'd have done it any better or quicker had he been married.

I have no interest in sailing around the world. Not that there is any lack of requests for me to do so.