The politician who never made a mistake never made a decision.

If you look at things that really affect people's lives - sport, the arts, charities - they were always at the back of the queue for government money - health, social security, defence, pensions were all way ahead. And each of those areas - sports, the arts, the lottery - got relatively petty cash from the government.

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.

When I was in office the fundraising was done by the party treasurers.

A country of long shadows on county cricket grounds, warm beer, green suburbs, dog lovers, and old maids cycling to holy communion through the morning mist.

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

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.