I grew up in one of the most deprived parts of Britain. I know the problems which inner-city children face.

- David Blunkett

Well, I've had my fair share in Britain of battling the tabloids.

- Elton John

I went with the old adage that you should write what you know. What I knew was 18th century Britain, so what I decided I would do is write a novel based on my dissertation research.

- David Liss

Kneejerk interventionism or kneejerk isolationism is the wrong course for Britain.

- Douglas Alexander

You know, I've just about got used to the fact that people in Britain know who I am on some level, but the notion that there's any kind of international recognition is still slightly bizarre to me.

- David Tennant

People want more power over their own lives. That's not just true in Britain, it's true around the world.

- David Miliband

Britain is a very small country with a very large press.

- David Hockney

Britain is characterized not just by its independence but, above all, by its openness.

- David Cameron

I rate Morrissey as one of the best lyricists in Britain. For me, he's up there with Bryan Ferry.

- David Bowie

Faith in technocrats over politicians is not a trend from which Britain is exempt.

- David Blunkett

Because Great Britain has self-confidence, it doesn't need a monumental Olympics.

- Ai Weiwei

The first book I did - the first successful book - was a kind of a travel book, and publishers in Britain encouraged me to do more.

- Bill Bryson

I'm definitely an American, because I grew up here. But I've lived very happily in Britain.

- Bill Bryson

The U.S. and Britain are incapable of controlling all of Iraq.

- Bashar al-Assad

In America journalism is apt to be regarded as an extension of history: in Britain, as an extension of conversation.

- Anthony Sampson

I am very pro-royal. Britain without them would be a sadder place.

- Alison Jackson

In Britain, you never get away from the fact that you're a foreigner. In the U.S., the view is it doesn't matter where you come from.

- Aasif Mandvi

The characters in 'Be Near Me' come from a genuine place, a Britain that is more than one country and more than one ideal.

- Andrew O'Hagan

I think people in Great Britain are a bit jaded sometimes.

- Annie Lennox

Britain has enormous amount of talent, as we've seen from the BAFTAs. It's all here, and it has to be allowed to flourish.

- Andy Serkis