Quotes from George Osborne

We don't see a choice between securing growth and investment and raising human rights issues.

I want to see genuine talent rewarded.

Every day, I genuinely count my blessings. One of the greatest things in life is to do a job you really enjoy.

I don't want to watch 'Newsnight.' I just don't understand those politicians who genuinely want to watch it for pleasure.

For families flying out of the U.K. for a winter getaway, airports should be the ideal place to pick up a bargain.

I had the closest thing I have ever had to an out-of-body experience lying in bed one morning. I turned on the 'Today' programme and item four on the news was: 'The shadow chancellor has ruled himself out of the leadership.' I lay there thinking that's interesting, then I realised it was me.

There were some who wanted all the benefits of E.U. membership without any of the costs. I'm not sure that's very realistic.

The threat from terrorists - from extreme ideologies - needs to be challenged head-on.

I believe that I'm entitled to regard my pre-political life as off-limits in terms of what can be looked at and judged.

Many retailers have complained bitterly to me about the complexity of the Carbon Reduction Commitment. It's not a commitment; it's a tax.

Did I want Britain to remain in the E.U.? Yes. Did I fear the consequences if we quit? Yes. Did I argue passionately for that during the referendum? Absolutely I did.

To all companies large and small, I would say this: the British economy is fundamentally strong; we are highly competitive, and we are open for business.

Working people of this country want economic security. The worst possible thing you can do for those families is bust the public finances, have some welfare system this country can't afford.

Britain is an open and tolerant country, and I will fight with everything I have to keep it so.

The message I would say to China is, 'Carry on with the reform; carry on with the change you are making.'

Britain needs a tough, strong financial conduct regulator.

I reject absolutely the idea that people should know their place, and know their class.

Britain helped create the Internet - Tim Berners Lee created the World Wide Web, one of a long line of British scientists who have given us an outsized role in shaping our own digital future.

Each time I come it's amazing to watch the development of this incredible country [China].

I find China such a fascinating and interesting country. Each time I come back something has changed and it's moved on in leaps and bounds.

You really have to try hard to create space and, at least for a time, stop the political world from rushing in. The important thing is to remain sane.

We are absolutely going to have to provide fiscal security to people; in other words, we are going to have to show the country and the world that the country can live within its means.

Everyone in our society has had to make a contribution towards dealing with the debts.

The biggest single thing that has lifted people out of poverty is free trade.