The Things They Said . . .

"OK we lost." - John Major

"You have put your trust in me and I want to repay that trust. I will not let you down." - Tony Blair

"Opposition is an honourable way of life." - John Major

"It is clearly a big night for Labour." - Gillian Shephard

"I would like to have won, of course, but this is a triumph. This is a tribute to the Labour Party and the leadership of Tony Blair and I have no reservations of any description." - Neil Kinnock, the former Labour leader.

"I am outside the House of Commons, so I don't have to bother with questions like that. I am taking a night off. Oh Jeremy, do stop this nonsense." - Michael Portillo speaking to Jeremy Paxman after losing his seat of Enfield Southgate.

"Thank goodness there are a few more irons in my fire. You may not have heard the last of me yet." - Former minister David Mellor after losing his seat in Putney.

"I have known Michael Forsyth for 23 years and we have not been the best of friends, in fact it is fair to say we have been the worst of enemies." - SNP leader Alex Salmond, on Michael Forsyth's defeat.

"I am devastated at the result this evening." - Former Minister, now former MP, Neil Hamilton.

"This was one of the occasions when our policies were not what the voters wanted." - Teresa Gorman.

"I believe you have lit a beacon which will shed a light in some dark corners and illuminate the mother of Parliaments itself. It is a message which will be heeded." - Martin Bell, winning Tatton.