Bob Ainsworth quotes

I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege. (Bob Ainsworth)

I got a tooth bust by somebody who decided they didn't like me and I thought the moustache hid a scar on my lip. It's true that people were told facial hair was not appreciated by the British public, but I just decided to keep the moustache.

Bob Ainsworth

We in the west walked away from Afghanistan at the end of the cold war and left it as a country devastated socially and armed to the teeth. If we do that again there will be consequences.

Bob Ainsworth

I come from a pretty tough background and I learned a long time ago not to be bothered.

Bob Ainsworth

Despite the increasingly presidential style of political leadership in our country, teamwork is essential.

Bob Ainsworth

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

Bob Ainsworth

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

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

It's hard to find good teamwork in practice, and I have never thought that we, as a party, were any better at working as a team than the Tories, despite our core values.

Bob Ainsworth