Only in Britain could it be thought a defect to be too clever by half. The probability is that too many people are too stupid by three-quarters.

A consensus politician is someone who does something that he doesn't believe is right because it keeps people quiet when he does it.

I think we can get respect for Parliament back providing governments and oppositions are frank.

I have been reading the press more regularly than others over 50 years and it seems to me that there are things that have changed in the press that have changed its character.

"Government gets things right" does not encourage sales. "Government makes another blunder" does encourage sales, so there's a commercial imperative that pushes sensationalism.

Of course there are regrets. I shall regret always that I found my own authentic voice in politics. I was too conservative, too conventional. Too safe, too often. Too defensive. Too reactive. Later, too often on the back foot.

I am walking over hot coals suspended over a deep pit at the bottom of which are a large number of vipers baring their fangs.