Wagner had a terrific understanding of politics. In 1829, he was a Marxist revolutionary who wanted to bring down the establishment. He… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
I feel opera is an expression of artistic excellence. To do it is expensive, as there's a requirement for an orchestra, good… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
My grandfather, who was always keen to promote living artists, staged an unprecedented exhibition of Peploe's works at Kirkcaldy in 1928. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
My grandfather was a great advocate of Scottish art at a time when Scottish artists struggled to be taken seriously. They were… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Whenever I'm in Edinburgh, which I visit often, I always try to hop on a train to Kirkcaldy to visit the art… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
If the Tories and Lib Dems fought together, they'd keep their ministerial offices and limousines, and continue to do the right things for the… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Were we ever to find ourselves living under a totalitarian regime, place no faith in the mercy of your fellow citizens. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
America, to me, is this enormous contrast between the heady idealism of founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, who said, 'All men are created… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
I think a lot of people of my generation have a certain guilt that, from the Sixties onwards, we started taking package holidays abroad… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Television brings with it two dangerous hazards: the worship of celebrity and the blurring of reality and fantasy. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
People have said to me, 'Oh, you are much nicer making documentaries than you were in politics.' So I should be. If you are… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
'Bradshaw's' is a lovely device for the time-travelling television presenter. I just hope that people buying it aren't doing so with the intention of… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
King Edward VIII was forced to abdicate because he was determined to marry a divorced woman. As a result of that decision, the Queen's… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Three letters send a chill down the spine of the enemy: SAS. Those letters spell out one clear message. Don't mess with Britain! — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
