My entire political career has been based on building up Britain's political standing and economic prosperity through our membership of the E.U. and the European project.

Access to justice is a fundamental part of a properly functioning democracy.

Without legal aid, and the dedicated lawyers who deliver it, our system of justice would quite simply collapse.

I am a firm believer in open justice, and an opponent of closed justice in any normal circumstances. But I am also an opponent of legal purism, and have no time for institutionalised mythmaking - whether from the authoritarian right or the liberal left.

I have donated money to campaigns. And I have been known to take to the street in protest. But I am more committed to my immediate politics than general politics.

Communism destroys democracy. Democracy can also destroy Communism.

The Israelis are very smart about politics and strategy, but there are a few exceptions. One is Lebanon, the other is Gaza, where they were completely inept.

I hate fear politics.