Every budget I have ever prepared has been balanced.

I never came into life with any favours or privileges.

I became a councillor back in 1971, so if by this stage in politics I'm making lots of big mistakes, then I shouldn't be here.

The world is run by monsters and you have to deal with them. Some of them run countries, some of them run banks, some of them run news corporations.

I go all around London advocating lesbian and gay rights.

I've always been a workaholic. I reckon, on average, I've had less than one day a year off in my working career.

I've always told the truth. I've often been wrong - but I've never knowingly lied. Not in public life. Because I don't see the need to.