- I would have liked to be the leader of the Conservative Party and I still would. But I've run twice and I can't see another opportunity coming up in the future.
- The TRG (Tory Reform Group) remains the best place for those who, like me, believe in a market economy and individual liberty combined with a social conscience.
- I had a bad habit of rocking back on my chair from our old-fashioned Victorian bench desks. One day I crashed over backwards having already been warned not to do this. I remember my shock and surprise when my teacher Mr Burnett gave me six of the best on each hand for having caused such disruption. I did not do it again. Mr Burnett must actually have been a remarkable teacher because, despite the class size, he inspired me to work hard and to enjoy my schoolwork. Now, looking back, I am eternally grateful to him. His teaching was old-fashioned, and included a lot of rote learning. But in his stern and unbending way he ensured we made extremely good progress. I don't think, though, that I was an out-of-place swot. I was just another lively child running in and out of the school during the breaks, with all the same enthusiasms as my schoolmates.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content