Polling in a general election is pretty accurate, because turnout is usually high.

The whole culture of my background was deeply Conservative.

Well, I get on with people who believe in something.

I've never declined to do an interview.

There isn't much about my life that's been particularly conventional.

Most politicians aren't allowed to express themselves any more.

I can't understand why anyone would want to live the life of a politician if you can't say pretty much what you think. You are not in it for the money: there's unremitting pressure on your life, you give up so much of your privacy. It can only be because of the things you want to do and the things you want to say.

The truth is, no one pays more tax than they have to.

Most people are not shocked that I am occasionally rude to journalists. They are probably amazed I don't punch one in the face.

This life is messy.

When I'm sifting the compost seed or pruning, I argue over issues in my head; I talk to myself.

I actually think the civil service, who are the malignancy at the heart of public life, have consciously prevented, talked ministers out of, made it difficult regulatory-wise, to allow more pressure on alternative energy sources to grow.

Most kids don't get to go their parents' wedding.

The press keep asking me, 'What was your biggest mistake?' But if I had made a big mistake, they'd all be writing about it, wouldn't they?

I'm never going to take the view that I should say whatever I need to say in order to achieve something. Because that implies a level of dishonesty.

My only regret is the media's obsession with the past.

I am not against Israel, I am against Zionists.

Jewish voters are not one homogenous block.

I could not cherish London and not value Jewish London. The contribution of Jews to London is immense - politically, economically, culturally, intellectually, philanthropically, artistically.

Working with the Jewish community is essential to me and what I stand for.

Everyone changes all the time.

I swim three times a week.

My political beliefs are my moral, quasi-religious framework.

I do the gardening.

Politics is not a healthy lifestyle.

I grew up in a house with very few books.

Press TV is one of the few TV channels anywhere in the West that fairly presents the Palestinian case.

I never came into life with any favours or privileges.

If you are running a city you must focus on day-to-day problems.

I have opened newspapers and read incredible lies.

I think democracy's undermined when those who own newspapers fill them with trivia rather than real issues.

I would like all newspapers to become workers' co-operatives.

Give me the whole world to run and then I'll be happy. If tomorrow I was told I had to sort out the whole world's problems I'd sleep like a baby.

I have met the people who run the world, and I am not in awe of them.

I have no interest in managing my financial affairs.

My main income is from speaking.

I'm more interested in politicians who deal with human rights in their own country rather than lecture the rest of the world.

Short of being prime minister there isn't a better job in British politics than running London.