I got a very strong sense from my mother, in particular, that we are all equal in the sight of God.

My working life has always been wrapped up in doing my job to the best of my abilities and doing the best for my family. It is not a contest between the two.

Separation and devolution are two completely different concepts which cannot be mixed together. One is not a stop on the way to the other.

Progressive politics is not something to be bolted on to another cause.

We shall seek debate without division or rancour.

I've got a very deep and abiding passion about education being far more than buildings and textbooks; it's what children bring into school with them.

If I have learned one thing in life, it is never to take any man's own estimate of himself. He could very well be mistaken.