Because with courage and conviction I believe we can deliver a more flexible adaptable and open European Union in which the interests and ambitions of all its members can be met.

As somebody who in my second marriage insisted on a prenuptial agreement I can also testify that sometimes it is an act of love to chart the exit strategy before you enter the union in order to make sure that not only you but your partner as well knows that there will be no World War III should hearts and minds for any sad reason change.

The biggest danger to the European Union comes not from those who advocate change but from those who denounce new thinking as heresy. In its long history Europe has experience of heretics who turned out to have a point.

We have the character of an island nation: independent forthright passionate in defence of our sovereignty. We can no more change this British sensibility than we can drain the English Channel. And because of this sensibility we come to the European Union with a frame of mind that is more practical than emotional.

My first car was a 1976 Toyota Corolla Liftback in red like the one in 'The Blues Brothers.' I painted a Union Jack on the roof. I was absolutely in love with it until I destroyed it which broke my heart!

My view is that you still in order to win from the Labour perspective have to have a strong alliance with business as well as the unions. You have got to be very much in the centre ground on things like public sector reform.

I propose that the government should get out of the business of marrying people and instead only give legal status to civil unions.

People drain me even the closest of friends and I find loneliness to be the best state in the union to live in.

The unions say 'last hired - first fired ' we say hire and fire based on merit. We want the best and brightest in the classroom.

The union movement has been the best middle class job creating program that America has ever had and it doesn't cost the government a dime.