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.

Recovery begins from the darkest moment.

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

Certainly we've seen the enormous changes across the whole of the Middle East. The democratic genie is out of the bottle.

What happens when there is a conflict between the Scottish parliament, if it was established, and the Westminster parliament? Who is supreme?

I think it's extremely unlikely that the European Union will fracture with nations dropping off the edge.

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.