British - Politician | May 12, 1944 -
I think that what most surprises anybody who goes into politics from even a modestly cerebral background is the vulgarity of much of the cut and thrust of politics.
Chris Patten
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I believe in trying to get a balance between individual freedom on the one hand and social responsibility on the other.
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I suppose I've always carried what is regarded as a bit of unnecessary baggage in Britain. I've always carried the charge that I am an intellectual in politics.
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In democracy everyone has the right to be represented, even the jerks.
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But the ability to articulate what you are doing, to be clear about it, and to stick to it is, I think, the essence of political leadership.
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I don't think that capitalism should be unbridled, if by 'unbridled' you mean unregulated.
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I think that if politics is just about getting your backside on important seats, then it's a pretty worthless endeavor.
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It is a sort of great Victorian truth that actually, trying to do the right thing is pretty good for you and pretty good for business as well, by and large.
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It is almost always wrong that the time isn't ripe to decide something. That is always said of difficult problems.
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So, what I say to people is that politics has got to be about principle and values above all. Of course, there are times when you have to make accommodations.
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Undoubtedly, at the moment, the major cause of CO2 emission is what happens in developed countries.
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In a democracy everybody has a right to be represented, including the jerks.
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