Politics thrives on simple, clean messages, something that played to Obama's advantage in 2008. Stagnant unemployment and the loss of America's AAA rating are as simple and tough as they come. This is the economy on Obama's watch, and there's no one left to blame.

Like Indiana Jones, I don't like snakes - though that might lead some to ask why I'm in politics.

A lot of men in politics suddenly woke up to the issue of women in politics when they realised: hey, there are votes in this!

I was in the Commons recently and saw a young lady wearing a nice pair of shoes. I said I liked them and she said my shoes were the reason she became involved in politics.

It's called political economy because it is has nothing to do with either politics or economy.