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We have a Prime Minister who avoids reality by pretending that it can be washed away in a mug of warm beer - Bryan Gould, Labour MP

I am not impressed by being called anti-European by those who were in short trousers when I began campaigning for Britain to enter the Common Market - Lord Tebbit

Modern life is too anarchic, rich, unconformist and wild for a Beaverbrook, a Northcliffe, or a Murdoch to dominate anything - Andrew Knight, executive chairman of News International, arguing that the power of the press baron had passed

If we are looking to the current breed of newspaper owners and editors properly to safeguard press freedom, we are wasting our time - Robin Corbett, Labour MP

The IRA have no more hope of killing the spirit of London and its people than Hitler had - the Very Rev Eric Evans, Dean of St Paul's

The Georgians have just thrown off the yoke of Soviet oppression. The last thing they would want . . . (would be) to move to Islington - Greg Hayman, Labour councillor in the left-wing London borough where Georgia is opening an embassy

People of 16 can engage in what may be the biggest lottery in life by getting married. Why on earth should they not be allowed to buy lottery tickets? - John Maxton, Labour MP

Popular decisions are not necessarily the right ones in the long run - Marmaduke Hussey

Some actors are little better than strolling psychopaths - John Osborne, on the 'luvvies' image