Once government's objectives were economic growth and social cohesion. Now they are prosperity, fairness and environmental care

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.

The one who believes himself to be a person needs to try to find that person. This is a solution, an antidote, offered to a ghost that thinks it actually exists.

Eventually, I’ll grow sick and perish. Die on the floor, a young girl—who even when in the presence of company, still feels the loneliness that looms over her heart.

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

On her Slave For You video: It's a very sensual video so I thought it was a good reflection of the song. My Mum thought it was... different.

Fate laughs at probabilities.

There is no miracle cure for the many problems of the world.

Religious leaders need to be held accountable for their ideas.

What is commonly called literary history is actually a record of choices.

Nor am I ashamed, as some are, to confess my ignorance of those matters with which I am unacquainted.

I didn't want to just write stories that were entertaining. Nor did I want to be so scholarly that people couldn't digest it.