Quotes of the Week

This is designed to let middle-class women from the South swan into Northern seats.

Jeff Morland, member of Labour's Northern regional executive, on the policy of women fighting 50 per cent of marginal seats

Up to this juncture, my life was empty and without meaning. Now I can face the future.

Jeremy Paxman after being welcomed into the Garrick, a pub in Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland

Don't ask any more questions or you'll have a real diplomatic crisis on your hands.

One of two US diplomats wearing wigs and carrying guns and transmitters, upon being arrested by Greek police

Not to put too fine a point on it, he was the total nerd.

Former Surrey Communist Party member on Michael Smith, convicted last week for spying

There probably were three countries in the world who would have caused us logistical and security problems - Iran, Iraq, and England.

Alan Rothenberg, chairman of the United States World Cup organising committee

Will I retire? Not bloody likely.

Charlton Heston