Hugh Gaitskell Quotes

I don't have to convince everybody in the room. I just need a critical mass of the people in the room.

The majority is the best way, because it is visible, and has strength to make itself obeyed. Yet it is the opinion of the least able.

You can't forge a new sort of consensus, you can't forge public opinion, by following public opinion.

As long as we're in a democracy, I have to give what I think the majority of people will enjoy.

The only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of governments while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies and instincts of masses.

The majority is always sane.

Majority rule is not the norm for solving issues or problems.

The power and influence of public opinion has increased, and the driving force of the nosiest elements of public opinion tends in excited times to consist, not of majorities, but of minorities.

Towering over Presidents and State Governors, over Congress and State Legislatures, over conventions and the vast machinery of party, public opinion stands out in the United States, as the great source of Power.

Reason will conclude that where multitude is, there is the truth.

The government is just the people acting together.

A majority is always the best repartee.

In a Democracy, look how many … many powerful Orators there are with the people.

In government, consensus is more important than command; persuasion not only works better than arrogance, it's vital to the democratic process.

Democratic government consists of listening, deciding, persuading.

We are the majority of the thinkers of the country.

With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.

Mass opinion has acquired mounting power in this century. It has shown itself to be a dangerous master of decisions when the stakes are life and death.

With five votes and you can get anything around here.

Public opinion is the most potent monarch this world knows.

In cities men cannot be prevented from concerting together, and from awakening a mutual excitement which prompts sudden and passionate resolutions. Cities may be looked upon as large assemblies, of which all the inhabitants are members; their populace exercises a prodigious influence upon the magistrates, and frequently executes its own wishes without their intervention.

Many women feel that they are so unimportant that their action can count little for good or ill, but it is the mass of individuals that makes up public opinion and public opinion is what runs a democracy!

If you can’t bring the people with you, you lose the policy

You know the voice of the people is a very, very powerful tool.

What you need to do is protect the structures and dynamics that are helping the people choose. The only thing that we can do is to respect the will of the people when it comes to majority processes. It is not for us to impose a model, it is not for us to impose answers to some critical questions.