We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us to pass judgement on the past.

There is no consensus even today on the merits of Napoleon – and certainly no agreement on the rights and wrongs of the origins of the First World War.

I believe that Egypt in its own way, the Palestinians when they are given a chance, and others will before long move towards greater democracy.

I do not envy the British Cabinet or the Bush administration their choice,

Indeed it is a characteristic of most human beings, whether politicians or not, to flatter themselves on their knowledge of history.

They have to weigh the undoubted benefits of ... (Iraqi President Saddam) Hussein's overthrow against the risk of turning the Middle East into an inexhaustible recruiting ground for anti-Western terrorism.

While hard work remains ahead of us, our efforts are starting to show results.

Silence is regarded as a sort of sin now, and it has to be filled with a lot of gossip and soundbites.

Some people find it difficult to argue with a woman Prime Minister and shrivel up.

If Margaret Thatcher had been Prime Minister at the time, there would have been no Treaty of Maastricht.