I am an optimist about the UK. We have been involved in trade with our European partners, which we will always be doing whatever this relationship is. We are a member of the EU. That gives us benefits. But we have to figure out where that is going. In the world, we are a global trader already.

There is nothing people can throw at me to say: Do this, do that.

I hate this argument that says little Britain or something outside, or Britain is part of a wider Europe. We can both be within our trading relationships within Europe but we can also be a fantastic global trader.

All I can say to the others is, 'Look out, we're on our way.

If you knowingly and willingly embark on criminal behaviour, the consequences of that should be... that you lose some of your benefits under the current system

A good proportion of foreign nationals in jobs in the UK are in semi or low-skilled occupations.

The person that takes over needs to have the skills to manage that ... I believe Andrea [Leadsom] has the edge.