Douglas Hurd

“I believe in the doctrine of the unripe time.”

“The single market is the central achievement of the European Community.”

“Prisons are for punishing, but they are also for turning criminals into law-abiding citizens.”

“If you have to be in a soap opera try not to be the villain.”

“Politics is the art of postponing a decision until it is no longer relevant.”

“The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property, and happiness of its subjects are secure.”

“There is such a thing as society, but it is not the same as the state.”

“A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.”

“The first requirement of a statesman is to be dull.”

“The House of Commons lives on conflict. It is a cockpit.”

“The art of diplomacy is to bat for your country and get a good result.”