Yet the basic fact remains: every regulation represents a restriction of liberty, every regulation has a cost. That is why, like marriage (in the Prayer Book's words), regulation should not "be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly"

When you've spent half your political life dealing with humdrum issues like the environment, it's exciting to have a real crisis on your hands.

When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator.

We do not believe that if you cut back what government does you diminish its authority. On the contrary, a government that did less, and therefore did better, would strengthen its authority.

We believe in a free Europe, not a standardised Europe. Diminish that variety within the member states, and you impoverish the whole Community. We insist that the institutions of the European Community are managed so that they increase the liberty of the individual throughout the continent. These institutions must not be permitted to dwindle into bureaucracy. Whenever they fail to enlarge freedom the institutions should be criticised and the balance restored.

There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation.

We introduced the Community Charge. I still call it that. I like the Poles - I never had any intention of taxing them.