CLEMENT ATTLEE

I just love Chinese food. My favourite dish is number 27.

The last of our enemies is laid low.

I think the British have the distinction above all other nations of being able to put new wine into old bottles without bursting them.

One layer was certainly 17th century. The 18th century in him is obvious. There was the 19th century, and a large slice, of course, of the 20th century; and another, curious layer which may possibly have been the 21st.

Russian Communism is the illegitimate child of Karl Marx and Catherine the Great.

Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.

The aim of socialism is to give more individual freedom to people.

We should never get out of Iraq without wrenching something, such as the national honour or the interests of bondholders.

A monologue is not a decision.

Prime Minister, our party won’t have you, and I think I am right in saying that the country won’t have you either.

The central purpose of a chairman should be to ensure that the shortest possible time should elapse between the beginning of any meeting and its end.

The foundation of democratic liberty is a willingness to believe that other people may perhaps be wiser than oneself.

The House of Lords is like a glass of Champaign that has stood for five days.

We have seen today a gallant, civilized and democratic people betrayed and handed over to a ruthless despotism.

Just as our peace-time system is unsuitable for war conditions, so does it tend to breed peace-time statesmen who are not too well fitted for the conduct of war. Facility in debate, ability to state a case, caution in advancing an unpopular view, compromise and procrastination are the natural qualities - I might almost say, virtues - of a political leader in time of peace. They are fatal qualities in war. Vision, daring, swiftness and consistency of decision are the very essence of victory.

The events of these last few days constitute one of the greatest defeats that this country and France have ever sustained. There can be no doubt that it is a tremendous victory for Herr Hitler.

I must remind the right honorable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision.

It is dangerous to play politics with the Budget.

We have absolutely abandoned any idea of nationalist loyalty. We are deliberately putting a world order before our loyalty to our own country.

The Peace Treaties must be scrapped ... I stand for no more war and no more secret diplomacy.

In a life and death struggle, we cannot afford to leave our destinies in the hands of failures.

No social system will bring us happiness, health and prosperity unless it is inspired by something greater than materialism.

Not Churchill. Sixty-five, old for a Churchill.

The real test of one's belief in the doctrine of Habeas Corpus is not when one demands its application on behalf of one's friends but of one's enemies.

I am a diffident man. I find it hard to carry on a conversation.