The idea of a tax on the ownership of a television belongs in the 1950s. Why not tax people for owning a washing machine to fund the manufacture of Persil?

It would be unforgivable to use the role I have, such as it is, to inflict my incoherent, half-baked view of the world on people. That would be illegitimate and unacceptable and I should be fired.

I've always thought you have to live life looking forwards, not backwards. I've had no interest at all in who my ancestors are.

Has there ever been a visitor to Ludlow who hasn't wished they lived there?

Scepticism is a necessary and vital part of the journalist's toolkit. But when scepticism becomes cynicism it can close off thought and block the search for truth.

I've always felt myself to be an outsider. I've always felt awkward.

The cure for cynicism is simply to engage honestly.