Grant Shapps

“I think politicians just need to get out in the real world.”

“We need to make sure that people are progressively better off in work than they would be on welfare.”

“We are the workers' party. We are the party of the hard working individual.”

“I think it's absolutely extraordinary that any Conservative MP considered even for one minute installing Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street.”

“There's no reason why the public shouldn't be able to see how billions of pounds are being spent on their behalf.”

“Incentives and infrastructure should encourage development and that development needs to contain the right types of housing in the right places.”

“It's impossible to know precisely what constitutes the right house price but I do know that house prices doubling or even tripling over a 10 year period caused a lot of people to find that getting a foot on the housing ladder is near on impossible.”

“MPs are only elected thanks to the help of ordinary members - activists on the ground who traipse the streets, post leaflets and engage in millions of doorstep conversations, come rain or shine and without pay.”

“If you believe in staying at home and looking after your kids, and bringing your kids up, we think it is a fantastic thing to do.”

“Welfare's just one of the problems Labour failed to tackle when they were in government.”

“It's almost impossible to get the outside world to take any notice of homelessness at all.”

“I did not have a second job while being an MP.”

“Extra homes require additional services and councils have to pick up the tab.”

“It's vital that communities actually get something back in return for seeing their area developed.”

“The arts and crafts architecture of Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City is now hugely admired. Remember much of it was stimulated through open competition.”

“I have always been an aviation nerd. I read the magazines.”

“Having served in the Forces a positive when it comes to applying for jobs. But we know some former service personnel can find the transition difficult.”

“All too often affordable housing can be a block on mobility and aspiration, so instead Conservatives will ensure that living in social accommodation means that you'll get a 'freedom pass' to get on and do more with your life.”

“IVF became the only way for us to have children after I was treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma 10 years ago with fertility-destroying chemotherapy. And while the cancer treatment was predictably punishing for me, I was struck by the anguish of the IVF process and in particularly the failed cycle.”

“When eco-towns were first announced we said that we would support environmentally-friendly development where local communities supported the home-building; where infrastructure was in place and where the growth was genuinely green.”