All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.

There's a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.

Old age is not a disease - it is strength and survivorship, triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illnesses.

Above all, it is not decency or goodness of gentleness that impresses the Middle East, but strength.

Britain's great strength is its innovative, design and engineering natural ability and we're not using it.