'There are lots of mistakes I could own up to ... they are for me to know and you to find out about'

The following are some of exchanges between journalists and the Prime Minister at yesterday's press conference.

Andrew Marr (BBC): "Has the Government lost the trust of the British people?"

A: "The best answer to all the stuff that flows in and flows out is to get the job done ... The polls, they come and they go. In the end, what matters is getting the job done. People in the country will judge any government about what actually happens."

Elinor Goodman (Channel 4): "Is strengthening asylum rules in response to far-right successes across Europe pandering to the extremists?"

A: "The populists and extremists gain a purchase on the political system when the moderate politicians – centre-right or centre-left – fail to deal with the issues properly ... If we don't get it right on issues like asylum and street crime then we create the space for the extremists to operate."

Peter Hayes (Central TV): "Does he understand the concerns of those living in rural areas where asylum camps were being built?"

A: "I totally understand why people will say 'look, I want them anywhere else but where I am' but the fact is unless we manage to take these measures we can't tackle this problem."

Martha Kearney (BBC Newsnight): "Did he want to follow David Blunkett's lead and own up to any mistakes?"

A: "I'm sure there are lots of mistakes I could own up to but I slightly take the view they are for me to know and you guys (the press) to find out about."

Tom Reid (Washington Post): "Why is British taxpayers' money used to subsidise the rents of fringe members of the Royal Family in grace and favour apartments in Kensington Palace and other royal residences?"

A: "I am going to beat a diplomatic silence on that particular one, because I think it is probably the sensible thing to do in all the circumstances."

Quentin Letts (Daily Mail): "Were he and wife Cherie both ardent royalists?"

A: "I have always made my position clear on the monarchy, that it is a better system than an elected president."

US Journalist: "Where has he managed to persuade President George Bush to change his mind?"

A: "I don't look at this relationship with America and say 'what are we getting out of it?' I'm doing the things that I am doing because I believe them to be right."

Jon Smith (Press Association): Could he cope if Alastair Campbell [director of communications and strategy] left?

A: "The question is, could you cope ... I won't put that to a show of hands."

Dutch journalist: Could Britain soon be left with the only centre-left government in Western Europe?

A: "The Swedish government's in a strong position. We don't know yet what's going to happen in Germany, let us wait and see. This Government won a very substantial majority just a year ago ... If governments aren't alive to the concerns that people have, on issues like Europe, and the feelings that people have that too much decision-making in Europe is too centralised, and not sensitive enough to the real concerns of people in Europe, then those governments are perceived as out of touch. You can address those sort of concerns whether you are a centre-right or a centre-left government."