Spending only what the country can afford, rewarding savings, encouraging independence, supporting marriage: people know that these things are common sense.

Time is not on Gaddafi's side. People ask about the exit strategy. It's Colonel Gaddafi who needs an exit strategy because this pressure will only mount and it will be intensified over the coming days and weeks.

The total economy of Latin America is bigger than China.

Today further EU targeted sanctions on Syria come into force. The message is clear and unambiguous: those responsible for the repression will be singled out and held accountable.

We have to face the reality of climate change. It is arguably the biggest threat we are facing today.

Well, if you're looking for me to lead a normal representative life, well good luck finding a foreign secretary who'd be like that - totally dependant on the political system and has never earned any money. Then you'll get the politicians you deserve.

I have found that I get a better reaction from people once I am less bothered about their reaction.