Hilary Benn Quotes

Especially among journalists, politics is not a pursuit that's held in high esteem. We tend to be cynical about it - but I actually believe in democracy.

Politics has almost become an increasingly pejorative term in our culture. "Politicking" is not something to which we attribute a lot of value, but that itself is a major issue and a problem, and it is a decline in public culture, to have come to that point.

People don't care anymore because they don't believe in us; they don't trust us. And that's why we should change politics, not just accept the cynical frame that, 'Well, that's just politics.'

I think anyone who serves in public office should have a little bit of contempt for government in their heart.

Politics for me is when I feel a personal engagement between people: I don't trust politicians.

I want to do something to change the mistrust towards politicians.

To let politics become a cesspool, and then avoid it because it is a cesspool, is a double crime.

I think I should be active politically. Because I look upon myself as a politician. That's not a dirty work you know. Some people think that there are something wrong with politicians. Of course, something wrong with some politicians.

Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.

I'm not going to reduce the choices of Canadians at the ballot box by backroom deals or secret arrangements. I think that's a cause for cynicism more than anything else.

If you believe in democracy, than you can't trash it by being cynical about the people who do democracy: the politicians.

Soaring rhetoric will not restore the American people's confidence in their government.

My father was into politics. After his death things got slow. We were meeting different parties and everywhere I heard people grumbling and cursing politics and the state of the nation. I made an effort and I am trying to fulfill my social responsibility.

As Americans, we have to be honest and ask ourselves a question: Do we really want to tone down politics? I always hear a resounding 'yes,' and I think most people mean that genuinely. But do our practices ever change?

I wanted to be an MP who was normal. I believe in politics, I'm a proud parliamentarian, and I want people to want parliamentarians again.

You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to.

I think the truth is always interesting, but with politicians, you don't get to see much of that.

I liked it when we had ugly politicians who droned on about issues.

In politics nothing is contemptible.

I have absolutely zero interest in politics.

It's OK to not be political unless your country is falling apart.

The problem with modern politics is everybody is doing sound bite stuff. In my stump speech, I give 20 minutes on why I think we're off track. And I think people do really want to engage in a serious high-level discussion on how to get the country back on track because people care about their own country.

In politics, there's a kind of literal-mindedness. It's what you say, not what you mean, and you have to say only what you mean.

I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business.

Am I a liberal or conservative? I'm neither. Like most Americans, I find politics very frustrating. Like most Americans, I'd like to hear from politicians the facts. That is what drives me.