We average more physical, moral, and intellectual force than any people on the face of the airth ; we are a right-minded, strong-minded, sound-minded, and high-minded people, I hope I may be shot if we ain't.

Among the most senior honours, the dominance of Sir Humphreys and courtiers is striking. There are gongs galore for the deputy director of this Whitehall department and the head of strategy group at that one, to say nothing of the pile of baubles handed to those who serve the Windsors.

He added that he would willingly consent to the entire abolition of the tax

I will own my enemies.