“I’m an optimist, but I’m an optimist who takes his raincoat.”

I’m going on, and the Labour government’s going on.

If I had the choice between smoked salmon and tinned salmon, I’d have it tinned. With vinegar.

If you rattle along at great speed everybody inside is too exhilarated or too seasick to cause any trouble. But if you stop everybody gets out and argues about where to go next.

Everybody should have an equal chance – but they shouldn’t have a flying start.

I believe the greatest asset a head of state can have is the ability to get a good night’s sleep.

The ambition of the present Labour government is that every worker in the country will have a greater than average income.

At home and abroad I have repeatedly been asked what are the main essentials of a successful prime minister.

May I say, for the benefit of those who have been carried away by the gossip of the last few days, that I know what’s going on.

Every dog is allowed one bite, but a different view is taken of a dog that goes on biting all the time. He may not get his licence returned when it falls due.

A week is a long time in politics.

One man’s wage increase is another man’s price increase.

The office of president requires the constitution of an athlete, the patience of a mother, the endurance of an early Christian.

He who rejects change is the architect of decay.

If we don’t give science its proper place in our national life. We shall no doubt be training all the bullfighters we need, because we don’t use many.

From now on, the pound abroad is worth 14 per cent or so less in terms of other currencies. That doesn’t mean, of course, that the Pound here in Britain, in your pocket or purse or in your bank, has been devalued.

This party is a bit like an old stagecoach. If you drive along at a rapid rate everyone aboard is either so exhilarated or so seasick that you don’t have a lot of difficulty.