My own father was a refugee from the Spanish civil war in the 1930s, later going on to become a BBC radio producer after World War II. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
My father was possessed of an extraordinary romantic idealism, an unwavering belief in certain principles. He was always talking about the past. Always. Of course, it has a powerful effect on me. — 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
