Indeed, Britain was set to repeat the old, familiar cycle of boom and bust. Since then, we have created and rigorously adhered to a new framework of modern economic management

In 2005 we have a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a modern Marshall plan for the developing world.

Britain can be proud of its response to the tsunami appeal.

To be a teacher you must be a prophet - because you are trying to prepare people for a world thirty to fifty years into the future.

I'm a father; that's what matters most. Nothing matters more.

Each year India and China produce four million graduates compared with just over 250,000 in Britain.

Britain does not want a return to boom and bust.

I take full responsibility for what happened. That's why the person who was responsible went immediately.

My favourite sport at school was rugby. All sports are teamwork, but rugby particularly is about teamwork and I think teamwork is the essence of this.

There is a golden thread which runs through British history of the individual, standing firm against tyranny and then of the individual participating in his society

No one should be held back from realising their potential by fears that they will not be able to afford to go to university or that they will graduate with unmanageable levels of debt.

When I was very young I kissed my first woman and smoked my first cigarette on the same day. Believe me never since have I wasted any more time on tobacco.

Remember, it takes two to make an argument. The one who is wrong is the one who will be doing most of the talking.

That whose existence is necessary must necessarily be one essence.

Women are now more comfortable with themselves and their bodies-they no longer feel the need to hide behind their clothes.

Some say if only my fears and doubts will leave then I will get to work. But instead you should get to work and then your fears and doubts will leave.

It's just like Yeats said. In dreams begin responsibilities. Flip this around and you could say that where there's no power to imagine, no responsibility can arise.

As long as the cheques carry on coming in, and I'm enjoying my work, I shall continue acting.

I have no problem with my age. I've been acting for 50 years in Australia and everyone knows my age because I started at 15. So there was never any point in lying about it.

You’re entering a world of pain.

I'm never at my worst because even at my lowest, its a learning experience. It's something that I'll bounce ideas off. I can take negatives and flip them to positives at all times.