Of course I'd have loved to be Prime Minister. But I'm not nursing a grievance.

I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as a party you do have to face up to some painful facts and you do have to change.

I don't think at my age... you can start ruling people out in politics.

The political health of Britain has deteriorated very sharply. The Conservative Party must do something about it. I am the man to do it.

I have acquired a deep and abiding respect for all those engaged in the difficult business of commerce.

I am certainly not a blogger. Quite a large proportion of them are nuts and extremists - with the honourable exception of the culture secretary.

Of course I'd have loved to be Prime Minister. But I'm not nursing a grievance.