32 Quotes by 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.

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.

Defence must be more adaptable, able to respond quickly to the changes in the security environment and the character of conflict.

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

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

I was Minister for the Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence for two years prior to being appointed Defence Secretary.

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.

On the back benches, you can have your say but no power to do anything.

Our aim is always to minimise casualties and to separate a hardline Taliban from those who have been caught up in the insurgency.