The cost of motoring is a massive issue at the moment, there's no question. The price of petrol goes up every time you go to the petrol station.

People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.

At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.

Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can't get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.

In politics, the number of women in the cabinet has fallen and, if current poll trends continue and Labour loses a number of marginal seats, the number of female MPs is likely to drop significantly.

Indeed, when all parties campaign effectively the overall effect is to push up voting rates, as you see in tight marginal seats or close general elections. That must be good for democracy.

Today the demands are for even higher standards in the quality of care, for greater flexibility and convenience in treatment times, and for more prevention through screening and health checks.

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.

All cannot be lost when there is still so much being found

No matter which way you dice it, self-preservation is selfish.

There is no justice in social justice, and there is no equality in social equality.

I have no doubts, by the way, that Ariel Sharon really wants to move the peace process forward.

I have always attempted to create images that deliver the maximum amount of information about the subject.

I'm a Beethoven freak. I listen to him all the time.

The end of desire is the end of sorrow.

Artists are perceptive, but they choose to write songs or make movies or paint pictures rather than simply keeping private diaries.

All business depends upon men fulfilling their responsibilities.

I actually enjoy the pain. That's what gives me the fire inside to get up and keep going.