All the politics of the post-war period was about the clash between the Soviet Union and America, and virtually all issues ended up being subordinated to that. Now, the question is, what is the most a socialist can achieve in a global economy?

I take a much more pragmatic view than many people on the Left about working with Neil Kinnock. Kinnock represents the best vehicle possible for achieving socialism now.

Just because I am critical of the coalition doesn't mean I am anti-English. I am just anti-scumbags.

If women had never been given the right to vote, then Labour would have won every election after the war.

The truth is, no one pays more tax than they have to.

I employed my wife for three years to sit in the attic and type up my autobiography, 700 pages, organise everywhere I go. I'm paying the normal rate of tax on the money I take out for myself.

I can only admire people who I have never met and are dead - because you know so much about anyone who is alive.