It is quite wrong for party conferences to be used as an excuse for the Commons not to sit. Conferences could be held at weekends.

I never aspired to be Speaker simply so I could say, 'I am the Speaker of the House of Commons,' and tell my children that.

The Conservatives must realise that being sceptical is different from being phobic in what is an interdependent world.

I've never been much given to little social cliques.

I think the record shows that as Speaker, I have taken the lead in cleaning up politics.

There's no point in worrying about things you can't influence.

If you asked me if I'd rather be Speaker or a very senior minister, I'd say Speaker.