I'm supremely uninterested as to what is written in many of the newspapers.

One consistent thing in an otherwise inconsistent career is that I've always been passionate about parliament.

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.

I am seeking every day to restore faith in Parliament - to ensure we have a House of Commons which is representative, effective and reconnected to the people we serve.

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 pride myself on being courteous to people, and trying to fashion good relations.

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