I was Minister for the Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence for two years prior to being appointed Defence Secretary. Bob Ainsworth appointarmdefence Change image and share on social
My heroes are the non-commissioned officers. If I had another life that's what I'd be - a regimental sergeant major or a similar rank. That's where the spirit of the armed forces is. Bob Ainsworth armcommissionforce Change image and share on social
The war in Afghanistan is too important to be reduced to a political football. We are fighting there to protect our national security. We are confronting the Taliban-led insurgency to prevent terrorists returning to that country. Bob Ainsworth afghanistanconfrontcountry share on social
I come from a pretty tough background and I learned a long time ago not to be bothered. Bob Ainsworth agobackgroundbother Change image and share on social
We need a leader able to project his or her personality and present our policies in today's media environment. All this is true - but we also need a leader capable of building a team, inspiring loyalty from colleagues, and one genuinely open to ideas. Bob Ainsworth buildcapablecolleague share on social
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. Bob Ainsworth armfeelforce Change image and share on social
You have to make the compromise: resign, stay out of the government, and you can say what you like... but no one has to do anything about it. Bob Ainsworth compromisegovernmentmake Change image and share on social
We have tended in politics in this country to concentrate on the domestic, on the here and now - the 'what's in it for me'. Bob Ainsworth concentratecountrydomestic Change image and share on social
Stalin's policies pushed the world into the Cold War. Putin has the potential to be equally as dangerous. Bob Ainsworth colddangerousequally Change image and share on social
Failure in Afghanistan would have profound consequences for our national security. It would undermine the NATO alliance structure that has been the bedrock of Britain's defence for the last 60 years... I will not allow this to happen on my watch. Bob Ainsworth afghanistanalliancebedrock share on social
