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Political leadership is like being a teacher. It's about changing the language of others. I say it and go on saying it until I hear the man in the pub saying my words back to me - John Hume, leader of Ulster's SDLP party

I don't wear women's clothes. I wear my clothes - Eddie Izzard, transvestite comic

I do not believe in this pairing system. I regard it as organised truancy - Dennis Skinner, Labour MP, on the Commons voting row

I don't expect Labour to welcome these figures. Whenever the sun shines, they pray for rain - John Major, when the unemployment figures fell below the 2 million mark

Democracy is a good thing in moderation - Peter Luff, Conservative MP

A judge's life is a desperate attempt to keep your head below the parapet - Mr Justice Rougier

Thoughts of marriage and children are far off. Perhaps I will become a nun, who knows? - Liz Hurley

When we look to Eastern spirituality for help, why not start by looking at Christianity, which was born in the Middle East? - Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, Director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity

The trouble with the rat race is, even if you win, you are still a rat - Cher, pop singer