The wisdom of hindsight, so useful to historians and indeed to authors of memoirs, is sadly denied to practicing politicians.
In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.
I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near.
What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.
It is in a country’s interests to keep faith with its allies. States in this sense are like people. If you have a reputation for exacting favors and not returning them, the favours dry up.
There are always dangers about. Therefore you must always keep your defences strong.
People from my sort of background needed grammar schools to compete with children from privileged homes like Shirley Williams and Anthony Wedgwood Benn.
Most women are far more intelligent than people give them credit for.
It took us a long time to get rid of the effects of the French Revolution 200 years ago. We don’t want another one.
A democratic Europe of nation states could be a force for liberty, enterprise and open trade. But, if creating a United States of Europe overrides these goals, the new Europe will be one of subsidy and protection.
There is nothing inevitable about rising unemployment.
We introduced the Community Charge. I still call it that. I like the Poles – I never had any intention of taxing them.
I have very strong views about Europe. We’re quite the best country. We rescued them. We’re not going to get entangled with them. We’ve got to keep our own independence. Is that clear?
I hope we shall see more ande more women combining marriage and a career. Prejudice against this dual role is not confined to men. I regret to say, it comes from our own sex.
I couldn’t live without work. That’s what makes me so sympathetic towards those people who are unemployed. I don’t know how they live without working.
Naturally, it is with some temerity that the pupil speaks before the master, because you know more about the Common Market than anybody.
I am always on the job.
I remain totally convinced that when children are young, however busy we may be with the practical duties inside the home, themost important thing of all is to devbote enoughh time and care to their needs and problems.
Socialism is in no way a curate’s egg.
To accuse me of being too inflexible is poppycock.
Occupied Falklands are the thorn in my balls.