Britain is characterized not just by its independence but, above all, by its openness.

I think we need to just be very clear about what we're trying to do in Afghanistan. Frankly, we're not trying to create the perfect democracy. We're never going to create some ideal society. We are simply there for our own national security.

We cannot go on as we are with 2.6 million people on incapacity benefit, 500,000 of them are under 35. Are we really saying there are half a million people in this country under 35 who are simply too ill to work? I don’t think that’s right.

Just as I believe that Britain should want to remain in the EU so the EU should want us to stay.

NCS - National Citizen Service is a fantastic programme. I want it to be available for every young person in the country.

It's not just other countries in Europe having a say over what we do. It's unelected bureaucrats in Brussels on sort of six-figure, huge salaries telling us how we run our country despite having never stood for an election themselves.

Strong views exist on both sides but I believe MPs voting for gay people being able to marry too, is a step forward for our country.