The Gardeners' World Blog

From a lecture to Lincoln University, 3 December 2008:

I want to be optimistic. That may seem like an odd thing to say in the middle of the worst economic climate in decades, and with daily reminders about the complexity - and at times the savageness - of modern life. But I want to make a case for hope around the biggest event in the UK in generations: the London 2012 Olympics. And I also want to outline the case for sport as a vital part of the existence of every citizen, and for the BBC's role in supporting that.

Now, I think it's important to say at the outset that I'm not departing from the tradition of BBC impartiality. The BBC will report freely and fairly on the London Games and we'll represent every strand of British opinion. It wasn't easy for the London bid at the time, but we did broadcast an investigation into alleged corruption within the International Olympic Committee while London was in fierce competition to win the Olympiad. We'll continue to report on the triumphs, the challenges and the setbacks.