"Some argue that now isn't the time to push the green agenda - that all efforts should be on preventing a serious recession. That is a false choice. It fails to recognise that climate change and our carbon reliance is part of problem - high fuel prices and food shortages due to poor crop yields compound today's financial difficulties."

"As the economy faces such difficulties, more tough questions need to be asked about what the Tories would do if elected. Their ideology of free markets and small government needs challenging. That has to be part of our job."

"It's become unfashionable to celebrate political achievement, and Labour achievement even less so. And it's positively uncouth to be proud of something that this Labour government is doing. So, slam me for saying so, but I'm really proud of the NHS."

"These are tough times and under this Tory-led government many people in Manchester are suffering and getting left behind. If elected I will use all my energy, skills, experience and knowledge to stand up for our communities and get things done for the better."

"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."

"All I want to do is change the world."

"It is a subtle truth that to question with sincerity is the first step toward dismantling dogma — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"It is a radiant truth that we do not remember the passing of hours, but the resonance of moments — an essential principle for the reflective life."