Johann Lamont

The instinct of the Labour Party is if there's a problem, change the leader, then sit back, fold your arms and wait to be disappointed because they're sure it's not going to deliver.

I didn't particularly want to go to Westminster - not that there were many seats available or chances for women to get elected. In 1987, Labour sent down 50 MPs, and only one of them was a woman.

My biggest ambition is to bring together what happens in the real world with what politicians talk about.

I would've done anything to work with Satyajit Ray.

Everything you listen to when you are 17 should be embarrassing, otherwise you are way too cool.

I don't write constantly; it's two serials and a novel a year.