Harold Wilson Quotes

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.

The labour party is like a stage-coach. If you rattle along at great speed everybody inside is too exhilarated or too seasick to cause any trouble. But if you stop everybody gets out and argues about where to go next.

He who rejects change is the architect of decay.

Given a fair wind, we will negotiate our way into the Common Market, head held high, not crawling in. Negotiations? Yes. Unconditional acceptance of whatever terms are offered us? No.

From now on, the pound abroad is worth 14 per cent or so less in terms of other currencies. That doesn't mean, of course, that the Pound here in Britain, in your pocket or purse or in your bank, has been devalued.

The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing.

A week is a long time in politics.

If the Tories get in, in five years no one will be able to afford to buy an egg.

We are redefining and we are restating our Socialism in terms of the scientific revolution ... The Britain that is going to be forged in the white heat of this revolution will be no place for restrictive practices or outdated methods on either side of industry.

I get a little nauseated, perhaps, when I hear the phrase 'freedom of the press' used as freely as it is, knowing that a large part of our proprietorial press is not free at all.

Debating against him is no fun, say something insulting and he looks at you like a whipped dog.

I'm an optimist, but I'm an optimist who takes his raincoat.

Everybody should have an equal chance - but they shouldn't have a flying start.

The ambition of the present Labour government is that every worker in the country will have a greater than average income.

At home and abroad I have repeatedly been asked what are the main essentials of a successful prime minister. Over and above communication and vigilance, there are two factors I have always mentioned. They are sleep, and a sense of history.

It is quite clear to me that the Tory Party will get rid of Mrs Thatcher in about 3 years time.

There is something utterly nauseating about a system of society which pays a harlot 25 times as much as it pays its prime minister, 250 times as much as it pays its members of Parliament and 500 times as much as it pays some of its ministers of religion.

The cumulative effects of the economic and financial sanctions might well bring the rebellion to an end within a matter of weeks rather than months.

On 5 September, when the TUC unanimously rejected wage restraint, it was the end of an era, and all the financiers, all the little gnomes in Zürich and other finance centres about whom we keep on hearing, had started to make their dispositions in regard to sterling.

I believe the greatest asset a head of state can have is the ability to get a good night's sleep.

All these financiers, all the little gnomes of Zürich and the other financial centres, about whom we keep on hearing.

The only limits of power are the bounds of belief.

Whichever party is in office, the Treasury is in power.

We are redefining and we are restating our socialism in terms of the scientific revolution

Selsdon Man is designing a system of society for the ruthlessness and the pushing, the uncaring. His message to the rest is: you're out on your own.

[Criticizing as "appalingly complacent" a Conservative Government report that by the '60s, Britain would be producing all the scientists needed] Of course we shall, if we don't give science its proper place in our national life. We shall no doubt be training all the bullfighters we need, because we don't use many.

I'm at my best in a messy, middle-of-the-road muddle.

In politics a week is a very long time.

One man's wage increase is another man's price increase.

This party is a bit like an old stagecoach. If you drive along at a rapid rate everyone aboard is either so exhilarated or so seasick that you don't have a lot of difficulty.

If I had the choice between smoked salmon and tinned salmon, I'd have it tinned. With vinegar.

The monarchy is a labor intensive industry.

With the ministry's motto 'Research on a Shoestring' emblazoned on his coat of arms, he has to struggle with a treasury more interested in surtax relief than national survival. [Responding to an earlier statement by British Science Minister, Lord Hailsham, that British scientists were being recruited by the U.S.]

The government have only a small majority in the House of Commons. I want to make it quite clear that this will not affect our ability to govern. Having been charged with the duties of Government we intend to carry out those duties.

Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel between he shoulder-blades and rigormortis sets in.

The office of president requires the constitution of an athlete, the patience of a mother, the endurance of an early Christian.

Every dog is allowed one bite, but a different view is taken of a dog that goes on biting all the time. He may not get his licence returned when it falls due.

May I say, for the benefit of those who have been carried away by the gossip of the last few days, that I know what's going on. I'm going on, and the Labour government's going on.