Alan Clark quotes

There are no true friends in politics. We are all sharks circling, and waiting, for traces of blood to appear in the water. (Alan Clark)

In the end we are all sacked and it's always awful. It is as inevitable as death following life. If you are elevated there comes a day when you are demoted. Even Prime Ministers.

Alan Clark

The more you know about a species, the more you understand about how better to help protect them.

Alan Clark

There's nothing so improves the mood of the Party as the imminent execution of a senior colleague.

Alan Clark

I am not a fascist. Fascists are shopkeepers, I am a Nazi.

Alan Clark

I am confirmed in my opinion that it is hopeless here. All we can do is arm the Orangemen – to the teeth – and get out.

Alan Clark

I fell into conversation with Douglas. His is a split personality. À deux he is delightful; clever, funny, observant, drily cynical. But get him anywhere near "display mode", particularly if there are officials around, and he might as well have a corncob up his arse. Pompous, trite, high-sounding, cautiously guarded.

Alan Clark

I only can properly enjoy carol services if I am having an illicit affair with someone in the congregation. Why is this? Perhaps because they are essentially pagan, not Christian, celebrations.

Alan Clark

You cannot come here because you are not white.

Alan Clark

So what does it matter where it was when it was hit? We could have sunk it if it'd been tied up on the quayside in a neutral port and everyone would still have been delighted.

Alan Clark

The only solution for dealing with the IRA is to kill 600 people in one night. (Alan Clark)

They're just actors. I much prefer the real thing!

Alan Clark

John Pilger: I read that you were a vegetarian and you are seriously concerned about the way animals are killed. Alan Clark: Yeah. John Pilger: Doesn't that concern extend to the way humans, albeit foreigners, are killed? Alan Clark: Curiously not.

Alan Clark

"The trouble with Michael [Heseltine] is that he had to buy all his furniture." Snobby, but cutting.

Alan Clark

I want to fire the whole lot. Instantly. Out, out. No "District" commands, no golden bowlers, nothing. Out ... If I could, I'd do what Stalin did to Tukhachevsky.

Alan Clark