The trade unions and the Labour Party... failed miserably. Instead of giving concrete support, and calling upon workers to take industrial action, they did nothing.

My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words

I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.

All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.

Only a fool wants a confrontation and only a fool wants a strike.

There's a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.

Parliament itself would not exist in its present form had people not defied the law.

I wouldn't vote for Ken Livingstone if he were running for mayor of Toytown.

If youve got an industry where youve got massive investment, it doesnt matter whether you bring in alternative supplies. You still lose the money on that industry.

There is grace for every great deed.

You always just have to be the best that you can be. And if you know that in your heart, then that's all that matters.

Normality is a fine ideal for those who have no imagination.

Hearing my daughter laugh is the best way to lift my spirit.

It's my responsibility as a singer-songwriter to report the news.

What is a gathering without unseemly drunkenness?

My strangest media moment a photo session they all had dressed up like 50 gangsters. That was pretty cool. We have to get some more of those kind of photos sometimes.

I don't think there's anything wrong with being paternalistic as a company.

A fat person lives shorter but eats longer.

O the joy of the strong-brawn'd fighter, towering in the arena in perfect condition, conscious of power, thirsting to meet his opponent.