Actually the royal family were very gracious and good to me. But I also found that the British establishment were never quite sure what to make of me. I was a Labour figure, but I'd come from a very middle-class background. In one sense I offended both traditional right and traditional left. But I thought that was no bad thing.

Lord Cranborne told the leader of the opposition to 'back me or sack me' - he succeeded in doing both.

Personally, I have already turned down the Downing St thermostat by 1 degree

Their barbarism will stand as their shame for all eternity.

I'm afraid that's in the nature of modern politics - it's as much conducted by abuse as argument.

We know the problems, and we know the solution: sustainable development. The issue is the political will.

In retrospect, the Millennium marked only a moment in time. It was the events of September 11 that marked a turning point in history, where we confront the dangers of the future and assess the choices facing humankind.