I think what is happening is I think first of all there is confidence in the U.K. economy. We're in a German rather than a Greek position in international financial markets, which is very positive and keeps our debt service costs down, and we're also beginning to see real evidence of rebalancing.

According to the papers, I'm miserable, alienated, and on the brink of resignation. But that's simply not where I am.

Fundamental renegotiation is very, very unlikely to produce any significant change

And humility in politics means accepting that one party doesn't have all the answers; recognising that working in partnership is progress not treachery.

Where there is flagrant abuse of corporate entities we must and will seek to tackle it.

Regulators are a backstop: they don't own banks. The governance at the top of our leading banks has been shown to be lamentably weak. No one at the top of Barclays will take responsibility for systemic abuse.

I made friends with a boy who was a communist when I was 13 and that broadened my political views, but it also brought me into conflict with my father who was very Right-wing.