The good old days. When hunger marchers marched politely and starved silently. Play for Today: A Turn for the Worse, Joey’s comedy audition, BBC 1981
Your medicine’s too bitter. No-one will take it the way it is now. ibid. Simon to Joey
Joey Dukes is my passport out of here. ibid. Simon to Marylin
There’s nobody in your way except you yourself. ibid. Simon to Joey
He was at the club the way a man performs with Princess Margaret. ibid. Marilyn to Simon
So the Russian are now out shopping with £2 billion’ worth of British credits in their back pocket. Play for Today: Beloved Enemy by David Leland, banker’ talk, BBC 1981
I am a patriot and a nationalist, yes and I am proud to be a nationalist. That is because I believe that we British have an important strategic role to play in the global arena. ibid. headmaster’s farewell speech to students
Wages have as much influence on inflation as my thoughts on space travel. ibid. banker talk
Life is a continual struggle, a continuous struggle between us and them. Play for Today: The Factory, Harry, BBC 1981
We must observe our own laid down standards of safety. ibid.
In the end they kick you in the teeth. ibid. Tommy
A man’s not a man unless he goes out to a job every day. I mean, that’s his function, isn’t it? ibid. Harry
Your barrier should have been built 50 years ago after the floods of ’28. Play for Today: London is Drowning, flood prevention planning meeting, BBC 1981
I killed a man with my bare hands once in France. Why didn’t you serve? Play for Today: Country, BBC 1981
You went on at me about my ideals and for being over-optimistic. Well how often since then have I had to admit that you were right. But in those days I still believed that some of the ideals of my youth could be salvaged in spite of everything. Play for Today: Protest by Vaclav Havel, BBC 1981
I can’t help wondering if one has the right to escape. ibid.
How long do you think you can hold out? Play for Today: United Kingdom by Jim Allen, Dennis to Kath, BBC 1981
We’re in a fight. There’s no turning back … We’ve put the skids of the commissioner. We’ve blocked the rent increase. We’ve carried the unions with us. We’re looking for national support now. ibid. activist Peter
Let’s get rid of the myth – dishonorary enclave – the public spending is bad and the private spending is good. ibid.
The main burden will fall under the police themselves. ibid. Home Secretary to rozzers’ meeting
Those who have a duty to lead the nation – like us. ibid. Chief Constable
We the police are in control and we intend to remain in control. ibid.
We are here fighting cuts that didn’t start under a Conservative government. ibid. protest meeting
Special Patrol Group … you’ll probably see them again today. ibid. rebel rozzer to Peter
It’s all gone political. Far too political for my liking … Riot shields, helmets with bloody visors on ... ibid.
St Margaret’s – always a wide cross-section. It’s gone comprehensive. Play for Today: Eve Set the Balls of Corruption Rolling, wife, BBC 1982
I suppose vomiting isn’t as good as abstinence. ibid. schoolgirl in confessional
Kill the light and I’ll go. Play for Today: A Sudden Wrench by Paula Milne, husband to wife in bed, BBC 1982
Is it a sexual problem, Christine? Lack of orgasm perhaps? … Foreplay? … ibid. telephone helpline lady
I feel like a stranger here. ibid. Christine
I’m 43. I’ve got varicose veins and stretch marks … ibid.
Does my wife make good toast, that’s the burning question. Play for Today: Home Sweet Home by Mike Leigh, Harold at breakfast table, BBC 1982
You won’t catch me working on an oil rig. ibid.
Oh shut up, Harold. ibid. wife
I’m not going on no bleeding diet. ibid. Gordon
Paris Bollington is 25 hours late on return. No signal. He has snapped loose on the flip side. Play for Today: Another Flip for Dominick, Caleb to Dominick, BBC 1982
You can’t just barge in after two years and take over my life. ibid. Jane to Dominick
Dominick: Someone will come and rescue me.
Jane: … In the meantime? ibid.
Welcome Warren’s Holiday Homes. Play for Today: Aliens, sign above gates, BBC 1982
There’s no work permits for foreigners. ibid. anti-Nazi Austrian refugee
I’ve never been to Italy … Sure it’s beautiful, but what the good’s that if you’re starving and your family’s starving. ibid. POW’ talk
I don’t share this hysteria about you foreign chaps that’s sweeping the country. ibid. army dude
28th February 1973: As far as I’m concerned we live in a liberal democracy; as far as you and Claire are concerned we live in a police state. Play for Today: Commitments, trendy flatmates’ talk, BBC 1982
If I don’t get out of this party I’ll go mad. ibid.
Of course it’s important to know the theory but we’ve got to build a leadership. ibid.
Bleeding Zionists, they’ll kill us all before they’re finished. ibid. activist
It’s amazing how many men are actually physically cowards. Play for Today: Under the Skin, BBC 1982
When I get you home I’ll stiffen you. Play for Today: Willie’s Last Stand, husband to wife in pub, BBC 1982
This is what you wanted isn’t it? So why are you messing around for? ibid. philanderer to self
Come on, you deserve a chance to relax. All those endless hours of being polite. Play for Today: Soft Targets by Stephen Poliakoff, Harman to Alexei, BBC 1982
Well there is a 15-mile limit but I can get permit easily. ibid. Alexei to party youngsters
Alexei: I come from Soviet Union.
Old Boy: Good lord! And they let you out? ibid.
Would you like to see where I work? ibid. Alexei to Celia
You could be very useful for me, Alexei. ibid. Harman
I’ll do whatever I like. I warn you. ibid. Alexei
Gallery geezer #1: Must be a very late one. I’ve never come across it before.
Gallery geezer #2: Well it’s been out of circulation. Play for Today: Under the Hammer, BBC 1984
Gallery geezer #3: However much I look at it I don’t like it. ibid.
Plundered … stolen pictures … I thought it was interesting … ibid. porter’ talk
American geezer was here – reckons it was a fake. ibid.
I wish you’d kicked McClaren … If only you’d done it half an hour earlier … Absolute discretion, you understand? ibid. gallery geezer
We should go into the possibility of a discreet repair. ibid.
Looks genuine enough for me. ibid. painting repair man
I think you know what I have to say. ibid. gallery geezer to head porter