Bob Ainsworth Quotes

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Bob Ainsworth

Profession : Politician

Birth : June 19, 1952

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

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

Bob Ainsworth

The reasoning for our civil-military plan is that lasting success will be when the Afghan government, security forces and people can resist the insurgents and terrorists themselves.

Bob Ainsworth

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

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

Bob Ainsworth

We are not in Afghanistan because girls were not allowed to go to school, but helping them do so will give the Afghan people hope for a better future.

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

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

Bob Ainsworth

When I was first elected to parliament 18 years ago, one of the many things that struck me and that I still feel now is how the Labour Party, the party of collective action, can, at MP level and above, behave in such an individualistic way.

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

I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege.

Bob Ainsworth

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

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

Bob Ainsworth

I have strengths, and I have weaknesses. I don't pretend to be able to write a great thesis or doctorate - I have no pretensions in that direction.

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 cannot allow Afghanistan to become again a haven for terrorists who inspire, plan and provide support for attacks like those of 11 September 2001, of 7 July 2005 in London, and more.

Bob Ainsworth

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

Bob Ainsworth

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.

Bob Ainsworth

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

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