“ It's normally the kiss of death to be identified as a rising star, or someone to watch. George Osborne
“ We need strength and success elsewhere in our country - not by pulling London down but by building the rest of the country up. George Osborne
“ The positive news is that the British economy is continuing to grow and is creating jobs. And it is positive news too that at a time of real international instability we are a safe haven in the storm. George Osborne
“ I support gay marriage. I support gay marriage because I believe Conservatives support the institutions of commitment. George Osborne
“ I understand the damage the expenses crisis has done to Parliament, and the paramount importance of restoring trust in our politics. George Osborne
“ I had the closest thing I have ever had to an out-of-body experience lying in bed one morning. I turned on the 'Today' programme and item four on the news was: 'The shadow chancellor has ruled himself… George Osborne
“ The foundations of a strong economy don't rest alone on the decisions of Chancellors or the spending programmes of government. George Osborne
“ I think the British people are very, very attached to the idea that the health service is free at the point of use. But there is no reason why every doctor, nurse and teacher in this country has to be… George Osborne
“ Of all the public services, education is the one I'm most interested in. You get a more dynamic economy, you deal with most social problems, and it's morally right. George Osborne
“ There was a real fear that a euro-zone bank might fail, that we'd have a sovereign debt problem in one of the larger European economies. That's dissipated, thanks largely to the action of the European… George Osborne
“ One thing I learned about Gordon Brown is you've got to have the strength to just get in there and take him on. When you first hear him spouting his statistics and boasting about his record, it can be… George Osborne
“ If you want to change the way your banking system is regulated, if you want to learn the mistakes of what's gone wrong, then you have to change your government. George Osborne
“ Everyone in our society has had to make a contribution towards dealing with the debts. George Osborne
“ A generous basic state pension is the least a civilized society should offer those who have worked hard and saved through their whole lives. George Osborne
