Some government expenditure actually makes a profit. Our theatre leads the world. Loads of tourists must be attracted by the fact that you could spen…

- Simon Hoggart

The nanny seemed to be extinct until 1975, when, like the coelacanth, she suddenly and unexpectedly reappeared in the shape of Margaret Thatcher.

- Simon Hoggart

The formal Washington dinner party has all the spontaneity of a Japanese imperial funeral.

- Simon Hoggart

I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else. We have lethal Sunni v Shia, Catholic against Protestant, but no agno…

- Simon Hoggart

I know of no wars started by anyone to impose lack of religion on someone else.

- Simon Hoggart

Remember how Margaret Thatcher came to believe that abroad was more important than at home? Didn't do her much good.

- Simon Hoggart

A British lawyer would like to think of himself as part of that mysterious entity called The Law; an American lawyer would like a swimming pool and t…

- Simon Hoggart

When you visit a foreign city you are in it, but not of it, separated by a glass wall. Once, while a student, I was getting dressed in my ground-floo…

- Simon Hoggart

Kind 'Guardian' readers have been forwarding me round robin Christmas newsletters for years now: lengthy missives full of perfect children, exotic ho…

- Simon Hoggart