Making mistakes is how you learn.

It is tempting to deny, but if you deny you confirm what you won't deny.

If I rescued a child from drowning, the press would no doubt headline the story: 'Benn grabs child

When somebody comes up with a progressive idea, to begin with, you're mad, bonkers. Then if you go on, you're dangerous. Then there's a pause. Then you can't find anyone who can say they thought of it in the first place. That's how progress is made. This is why I do believe in the vote. In the end, all these people who've been tempted to the right realise the warning lights in their constituency are brighter than the bright lights from No. 10 offering them things.

My alternative to American superpower is the UN and I might add when China becomes the worlds greatest superpower you will need it too.

If one meets a powerful person - Adolf Hitler, Joe Stalin or Bill Gates - ask them five questions: 'What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you?' If you cannot get rid of the people who govern you, you do not live in a democratic system.

It is obvious I shall have to abandon my hopes of getting the Queen's head off the stamps.