If you look back historically, admittedly a long time ago, there were three Afghan wars in which Britain didn't even come a good second. In more recent years the Russians were there with 120,000 men for ten years.

I'm very proud of what my parents achieved and what they stood for. They didn't have much, but in many ways they were richer than most.

I think the biggest mistake I made was this wretched ability to see both sides of an argument.

I think the majority of the British people are still sanguine about the need for war.

I inherited a sick economy and passed on a sound one. But one abiding regret for me is that, in between, I did not have the resources to put in place the educational and social changes about which I cared to much; I made only a beginning, and it was not enough.

If we want to deliver opportunity for all, we need an economy that delivers jobs for the future.

I will turn directly to the Asylum Bill later.