Where there is flagrant abuse of corporate entities we must and will seek to tackle it.

Investment banking has, in recent years, resembled a casino, and the massive scale of gambling losses has dragged down traditional activities as banks try to rebuild their balance sheets.

Our workforce is very co-operative, very flexible, easy to work with and one of the big selling points. The idea that Britain is still back in the labour market of the '70s is utterly bizarre.

The government increasingly resembles somebody who is trying to give the kiss of life to a corpse.

And humility in politics means accepting that one party doesn't have all the answers; recognising that working in partnership is progress not treachery.

The degree of leverage now being reversed is on a staggering scale, and the underlying global imbalances – notably between the savers and the spenders – will require long and painful adjustment.

I made friends with a boy who was a communist when I was 13 and that broadened my political views, but it also brought me into conflict with my father who was very Right-wing.

If the pendulum swings, it may swing to a combination of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats and, thus, to a period of minority government or coalition, in some form.

When I was a child we were sufficiently well off for me to be a picky eater and I still cannot eat vegetables cooked in the traditional British manner.

I don't feel comfortable with luxury, and I try to stay fairly normal.

The House has noticed the Prime Minister's remarkable transformation in the past few weeks, from Stalin to Mr. Bean.

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.

Restaurants stress the protein. People read menu items left to right, with the protein first. I read descriptions right to left.

I like the concept of local education.

Music is a savage art, a measured madness.

I'm not jumping on the Andy Johnson for England bandwagon - I'm driving it!

The woman frowned. "I probably should have mentioned that annoying habit of letting people come to the wrong conclusions and not correcting them? He got it from me.

No is easier to do. Yes is easier to say.

...crushed between the fears of going forward and the dread of going back.

Ideological differences are no excuse for rudeness.

I find it quite hard for me to pull off. It's so nice to have a tan and look healthy and glowing. I'd quite like to look like Karen Elson - she looks good pale. I feel like I look a bit washed out.