Since the publication of the first edition of The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations, which was described as 'funny, striking, thought-provoking and incisive' and 'marshalled with wit and meticulous attribution of sources', there have been fundamental shifts in the international political landscape: the Labour Party came to power in the UK for the first time in 18 years; an American President was impeached (and survived); the new Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly were set up in 1999; the House of Lords has been partially reformed; a new Mayor of London has been elected; an entire European Commission has resigned, and issues such as GM foods have been furiously debated. Some major political figures have left the stage, as others have emerged. This new edition picks up where the previous edition left off, providing more than 4,500 quotations ranging from the rhetorical to the downright rude.
As well as new concerns, this second edition features many new entries from earlier periods which have come to light through rigorous research. There is more coverage of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh politics. Newspaper headlines, Slogans, and special categories are grouped together for the first time for better access.
It depends what the meaning of 'is' is
Bill Clinton, during the Lewinsky Affair
When I think of Cool Britannia, I think of old people dying of hypothermia
Tony Benn, long-standing Labour MP
I feel like Galileo going before the Inquisition to explain that the sun doesn't revolve around the earth. I hope I have more success
Ken Livingstone, now Mayor of London
I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war, and no one will win the next one
Eleanor Roosevelt
I want the whole of Europe to have one currency
Napoleon I
The Scottish Parliament which adjourned on 25 March in the year 1707 is hereby reconvened
Winifred Ewing