Quotes from Bob Ainsworth

The last thing we want to do is to go into an area and inflict unnecessary civilian casualties. One is too many.

If you stand at an election and put a manifesto in front of people saying you're going to improve health care, you have to stick by that.

I am extremely honoured to be the Defence Secretary, and I would not do the job if I did not think that I could make a useful contribution in the role.

I'll tell you what I do have: I have a good feel for ordinary people, for politics, and those are my strengths. I understand, I hope instinctively, where many of our Armed Forces come from.

I have always had a keen interest in defence and military history and read more on this subject than anything else.