If British troops are committed to action, then the nation will, of course, support them. Their courage and skill is not in doubt.

To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

The quicker we get rid of the lobby system the better for all of us. I don't think in this day and age it is tenable to have these nods and winks, and on-the-record and off-the-record briefings.

Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without. They have contributed hugely to Britain's success.

Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.

Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who's a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self taught.

We should have high expectations of our children, but politicians should not tell teachers how to meet them.

My favourite novel is Frederick Forsythe's Day Of The Jackal, the story about the unproven case of this apparent Englishman who was hired to assassinate De Gaulle….

Music and politics are in essence about communication. Without over-stretching the analogy I do feel a sense of rhythm is important in getting your message across.

The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

The more handles one creates at the moment of learning, the more likely the information is to be assessed at a later date. The handles we can add revolve around content, timing, and environment.

I who still pray at morning and at eve Thrice in my life perhaps have truly prayed Thrice stirred below conscious self Have felt that perfect disenthrallment which is God.

I've always been told I have a giant placenta.

It is a comfort to the miserable to have comrades in misfortune, but it is a poor comfort after all.

There is love, and there is work; and we have only one heart.

I really haven't liked the commercialization of mountaineering, particularly of Mt. Everest. By paying $65,000, you can be conducted to the summit by a couple of good guides.

Someday I would change my name to Shut Up and save everybody a lot of time.

True greatness depends on total wisdom. The real lesson is to learn to love.

Find joy in simplicity, self-respect, and indifference to what lies between virtue and vice. Love the human race. Follow the divine.

I love the writing process. It's something that I'm interested in personally and something I always do on every movie.