Mr Major’s Interview with Schoolchildren in Tokyo – 19 September 1993

Below is the text of Mr Major’s interview with schoolchildren in Tokyo on Sunday 19th September 1993.

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QUESTION:

Prime Minister, I was wondering if you could briefly sum up what it actually feels like to be Prime Minister?

PRIME MINISTER:

Well it is never dull, you can absolutely be certain of that. It is quite a hectic life but it has great satisfaction because you can see things that need to be done and you are in a better position than almost anyone to do them so that is very satisfying.

QUESTION:

Job satisfaction is a major part of your job description then?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think if you did not like this job you certainly would not do it.

QUESTION:

Do you read what the papers say about you?

PRIME MINISTER:

Not very often, no, I neither read them very often nor do I believe them.

QUESTION:

Would it not affect you?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think politicians are in the public arena, they must expect sometimes to be criticised, sometimes they are praised unfairly, sometimes they are criticised fairly, sometimes they are criticised unfairly, I am afraid it is part of the game, you have to live with it.

QUESTION:

Just to change the subject slightly, I know that the tradition of present giving is very important in Japanese culture so I was wondering what a guest such as yourself would give to your host?

PRIME MINISTER:

The Prime Minister is a very keen golfer and I have brought a rather splendid print of St. Andrews for him and we have a small enamel vase for his wife which I think is rather attractive and has a special Chequers logo on it. I hope they like them.