I am sure Mr Heath thinks he is honest but I wish he didn’t have to have his friends say it so often.
Meaning of the quote
This quote suggests that Mr. Heath, another British politician, often has his friends publicly say that he is honest, which makes the speaker (Roy Jenkins) wish that Mr. Heath didn't need to have his friends say this so frequently. The quote implies that Mr. Heath may not be as honest as he or his friends claim, and that he relies on others to vouch for his honesty.
About Roy Jenkins
Roy Jenkins was a British politician and writer who served as the President of the European Commission from 1977 to 1981. He held several key positions in the Labour and Social Democratic parties, including Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary, and was known for his progressive reforms in areas like capital punishment, homosexuality, and abortion rights.
Tags
More quotes from Roy Jenkins
The great disadvantage of our present electoral system is that it freezes the pattern of politics, and holds together the incompatible because everyone assumes that if a party splits it will be electorally slaughtered.
British politician (1920-2003)
We must not expect a full-scale peaceful revolution every time a Labour Government is elected.
British politician (1920-2003)
The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty phrase. A better phrase is the civilised society.
British politician (1920-2003)
I am sure Mr Heath thinks he is honest but I wish he didn’t have to have his friends say it so often.
British politician (1920-2003)
A social democratic party without deep roots in the working class movement would quickly fade into an unrepresentative intellectual sect.
British politician (1920-2003)
The Labour Party is and always has been an instinctive part of my life.
British politician (1920-2003)
There are always great dangers in letting the best be the enemy of the good.
British politician (1920-2003)