James Naughtie explains why he’d give Scoop to a lover, confesses which books by another BBC luminary he does his best to avoid and finally reassures us, in case you were wondering, that he doesn’t fantasise about Lolita. He will be appearing at the Wimbledon Bookfest on 14th October to talk about his latest book,
In May 2010, this party stood on the threshold of power for the first time in more than a decade. We knew then that it was not just the ordinary duties of office that we were assuming. We were entering into Government at a grave moment in the modern history of Britain. At a time
‘Something went “ping”.’
‘I don’t believe you’re genuinely looking for work. I think you’re just a sponge.’
‘That speech you wrote for me — it really came from my heart.’
‘Well, you should be more specific.’
Coalition satnav
‘So far, I’ve not met anyone I’d want to settle down and get into debt with.’
‘Now you’re in for it, sonny!’
‘Zombies! The worst kind….’
‘Avoid the city centre — it’s full of politicians.’
‘Fifty Shades of Grey...sounds like a bad-hair day.’
‘In retrospect, I’m glad we decided to argue at home rather than abroad this year.’
‘Must we go in and see it? Can’t we just stick to telling people we paid £1,000 a ticket?’
‘Just think — this sort of work used to be the exclusive preserve of men!’
On Israel and Iran Sir: Your leading article (‘Israel Alone’, 29 September) implies that there is consensus among Israelis that Iran must be attacked. This is far from the case. There is vigorous internal debate, with opposition MPs, a judge, and senior military and intelligence officials publicly denouncing Netanyahu’s calls for a strike. Padraic Rohan
Home In a well-received 65-minute speech without notes to the party conference, Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, presented himself as a human being and concluded: ‘This is who I am. This is what I believe. This is my faith.’ Mr Miliband presented Labour as a One Nation party. He also said that if banks do