The peace movement didn't stop the Iraq but I think that Blair would not be able to go along and support an Iranian war.

The Labour party has never been a socialist party, although there have always been socialists in it - a bit like Christians in the Church of England.

I believe the more difficult the circumstances, the more people will be inclined to trust those in charge at the moment.

I now want more time to devote to politics and more freedom to do so.

I think Mrs Thatcher did more damage to democracy, equality, internationalism, civil liberties, freedom in this country than any other Prime Minister this century. When the euphoria surrounding her departure subsides you will find that in a year or two's time there will not be a Tory who admits ever supporting her. People in the street will say, thank God she's gone

Nelson Mandela was a terrorist. And then he wins the world peace prize and becomes president of South Africa. That's how change happens. It's very important not to differentiate protest from the democratic process.

Parliamentary democracy is, in truth, little more than a means of securing a periodical change in the management team, which is then allowed to preside over a system that remains in essence intact. If the British people were ever to ask themselves what power they truly enjoyed under our political system they would be amazed to discover how little it is