William Hague Quotes

Powerful William Hague for Daily Growth

About William Hague

William Hague, born on April 26, 1961, in Guildford, Surrey, England, is a distinguished British politician, diplomat, and author who has made significant contributions to British politics over the past four decades. Hague's political journey began at an early age, as he was elected to Richmond Borough Council in 1982 while still studying law at the University of London. In 1989, he won a seat in Parliament representing the constituency of Richmond, Yorks, where he served until his retirement in 2015. Hague rose rapidly through the ranks of the Conservative Party and was appointed as Shadow Home Secretary in 1997, making him the youngest person to hold that position. In 1997, he also became Leader of the Opposition, a role he held until 2001, when he stepped down following the party's electoral defeat. In 2014, Hague was appointed as First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the Cameron government. His diplomatic career culminated in his appointment as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in February 2021. As an author, Hague has published several books, including "Out There: A Voyage Around Britain" (2002), a travelogue of his journey around the UK; "William Hague's Speeches on Europe and Foreign Affairs" (2003); and "The Second World Wars" (2018), a comprehensive historical analysis of World War II. Throughout his career, Hague has been influenced by conservative ideologies and a deep commitment to British national identity. His leadership and contributions have left an indelible mark on British politics and diplomacy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Politics is about ideas, conviction, and principle, but it's also about the ability to compromise."

The quote highlights that politics involves more than just personal beliefs or principles; it requires a willingness to negotiate and find common ground, even when ideologies differ. It emphasizes the need for individuals in political leadership roles to maintain their core values while also being open-minded enough to make concessions for the greater good or in pursuit of shared goals. This quote serves as a reminder that politics is not merely about one's own convictions but also about creating solutions through collaboration and understanding.


"The European Union has its faults, but it is the most successful peace project in history."

William Hague's quote underscores the significance of the European Union (EU) as an unprecedented endeavor for peace and cooperation among nations. Despite the acknowledged imperfections within the EU, its success lies in its ability to maintain a prolonged period of peace among its member states - something historically challenging due to deep-rooted conflicts and hostilities. This is especially noteworthy given the EU's diverse cultures, languages, and political ideologies coexisting harmoniously. The quote serves as a testament to the transformative power of diplomacy, cooperation, and shared values in fostering lasting peace among nations.


"Leadership is about having a vision, being able to articulate it, and to make it happen."

This quote by William Hague highlights three essential components of effective leadership: vision, communication, and execution. 1. Vision: Leaders must have a clear, compelling idea or goal for the future that inspires and directs their actions. This vision serves as a guiding light, helping leaders make decisions and prioritize resources. 2. Communication: A leader's ability to effectively articulate their vision is crucial in gaining buy-in from others and rallying them towards common objectives. Clear, concise, and persuasive communication allows followers to understand the direction they are heading and the role they play in achieving success. 3. Execution: Once a vision has been established and communicated, it's essential for leaders to take action and make their vision a reality. This requires tenacity, resilience, and the ability to adapt and adjust plans as circumstances change. In essence, making a vision happen is about turning ideas into tangible results through purposeful action. In summary, successful leadership involves envisioning a desirable future, sharing this vision with others in a compelling way, and working tirelessly to make that vision a reality.


"We should not underestimate the value of hope in difficult times; it is almost indispensable for success in any undertaking."

This quote by William Hague emphasizes the crucial role that hope plays, particularly during challenging periods. Hope serves as a powerful motivator, inspiring us to persist and strive towards success despite adversity. It encourages resilience, providing the emotional strength needed to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. In essence, hope is an indispensable ingredient for perseverance and accomplishment.


"There is no such thing as a watertight immigration policy. There can be no wall high enough, no fence long enough, to keep out everyone who seeks to enter illegally."

This quote by William Hague emphasizes the inherent difficulty of creating an entirely impermeable immigration policy due to human ingenuity and determination. He suggests that regardless of how strong or extensive border controls are, some individuals will always find ways to cross them illegally if they are motivated enough to do so. The quote underscores the need for humane and effective immigration policies that balance security concerns with compassion towards those seeking refuge or a better life.


Iran's continued, widespread persecution of ethnic minorities, human rights defenders and political prisoners is a disgrace and stands as a shameful indictment of Iran's leaders.

- William Hague

Ethnic, Persecution, Iran, Indictment

It's necessary for Israelis and Palestinians to make the compromises that are required to get the direct talks back on track.

- William Hague

Back, Necessary, Direct, Compromises

If some of the people who write about mojo came with me for a week, they would drop dead on their feet.

- William Hague

Feet, Drop, Some, Mojo

Governments that block the aspirations of their people, that steal or are corrupt, that oppress and torture or that deny freedom of expression and human rights should bear in mind that they will find it increasingly hard to escape the judgement of their own people, or where warranted, the reach of international law.

- William Hague

Judgement, Increasingly, Bear

I'm not, nor is anybody I know in government part of a nasty right wing clique.

- William Hague

Government, Clique, Nor, Nasty

Inspiring scenes of people taking the future of their countries into their own hands will ignite greater demands for good governance and political reform elsewhere in the world, including in Asia and in Africa.

- William Hague

Hands, Africa, Including, Ignite

In my view what you can't argue for is a system that is neither decisive nor proportional and can be indecisive and disproportionate at the same time.

- William Hague

Argue, Indecisive, Same Time, Proportional

The EU should be concentrated on adapting to globalisation and global competitiveness, not building more powerful centralised institutions in Brussels.

- William Hague

More, Competitiveness, Adapting

We are making progress militarily, there is no doubt about that. You've seen the reports from Misrata, although reports of the Gaddafi forces completely pulling out of Misrata seem to be exaggerated.

- William Hague

Making, About, Reports, Gaddafi

Time is not on Gaddafi's side. People ask about the exit strategy. It's Colonel Gaddafi who needs an exit strategy because this pressure will only mount and it will be intensified over the coming days and weeks.

- William Hague

Over, Needs, Side, Gaddafi

Today further EU targeted sanctions on Syria come into force. The message is clear and unambiguous: those responsible for the repression will be singled out and held accountable.

- William Hague

Will, Accountable, Singled, EU

The appalling crackdown that we witnessed in Hama and other Syrian cities on 30 and 31 July only erode the regime's legitimacy and increase resentment. In the absence of an end to the senseless violence and a genuine process of political reform, we will continue to pursue further EU sanctions.

- William Hague

Other, Absence, Senseless, EU

The EU is not a country and it's not going to become a country, in my view, now or ever in the future. It is a group of countries working together.

- William Hague

Country, Going, Countries, EU

People feel that in too many ways the EU is something that is done to them, not something over which they have a say.

- William Hague

Over, Ways, Which, EU

People feel that the EU is a one-way process, a great machine that sucks up decision-making from national parliaments to the European level until everything is decided by the EU. That needs to change.

- William Hague

Process, Sucks, Needs, EU

Turning away Turkey from the EU would be a great, long-term - a century-long - error by Europe.

- William Hague

Away, Turning, Would, EU

I still agree with the invasion of Iraq. I don't agree with most of the decisions that accompanied it.

- William Hague

Most, Still, Accompanied, Decisions

Where defining foreign policy as 'ethical' went wrong was that it implied that all decisions would be exclusive in every respect of any dealings with unethical regimes.

- William Hague

Ethical, Implied, Defining, Decisions

It must be quite rare for an interviewer to be interviewed.

- William Hague

Rare, Must, Quite, Interviewer

Governments that use violence to stop democratic development will not earn themselves respite forever. They will pay an increasingly high price for actions which they can no longer hide from the world with ease, and will find themselves on the wrong side of history.

- William Hague

Ease, Use, Increasingly, High Price

Unless there is meaningful change in Syria and an end to the crackdown, President Assad and those around him will find themselves isolated internationally and discredited within Syria.

- William Hague

Change, Will, Within, Internationally

As far as I'm aware, everybody in the shadow cabinet accepts that there's a compelling case on climate change and a strong scientific case.

- William Hague

Strong, Shadow, Everybody, Case

When a Cabinet Minister who is sacked for telling lies is re-appointed, in the face of every constitutional convention, only for the same man to be sacked again from the same Cabinet for the same offence by the same Prime Minister no wonder the public are cynical about politics.

- William Hague

Politics, Telling, About, Cynical

When you reduce taxes on higher earners it's vital to be reducing them on lower earning people as well so the nation shares in the approach.

- William Hague

Nation, Reduce, Lower, Earner

Ambition is best tempered with self-knowledge!

- William Hague

Best, Ambition, Tempered, Self-Knowledge

I have always thought that foreign-policy idealism has to be tempered with realism.

- William Hague

Thought, Always, Idealism, Tempered

Very few conflicts in the history of the world have been satisfactorily concluded according to a published timetable, because you lose all flexibility in dealing with your opponents.

- William Hague

Dealing, Been, Very, Timetable

If there's one thing above all that sets me apart from Tony Blair it is this - I am not embarrassed to articulate the instincts of the British people.

- William Hague

Embarrassed, One Thing, Sets, Articulate

For the security of the UK, it matters a lot for Somalia to become a more stable place.

- William Hague

Security, Matters, Lot, Somalia

Whatever happens in Mogadishu, in Somalia, will happen in Great Britain. We have interlocking interests.

- William Hague

Will, Happen, Britain, Somalia

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