I suppose I miss the British cynicism and the humor.

What I hope is in five years' time I can go to the British people in the election and say: Lots of you doubted that coalition politics worked but it has worked.

I think what is British about me is my feelings and awareness of others and their situations. English people are always known to be well mannered and cold but we are not cold - we don't interfere in your situation. If we are heartbroken we don't scream in your face with tears - we go home and cry on our own.

One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.

The long-established and noble rule of Law one of the greatest products of the character and tradition of British history has suffered a deadly blow. Blackmail has become respectable.

Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.

Why do British people make such good TV? It's so annoying. Stop it. Is it because they have free health care? Uggh.

I think the British people are very very attached to the idea that the health service is free at the point of use. But there is no reason why every doctor nurse and teacher in this country has to be employed by the state.

The British do not expect happiness. I had the impression all the time that I lived there that they do not want to be happy they want to be right.

King Louis Philippe once said to me that he attributed the great success of the British nation in political life to their talking politics after dinner.