Heidi Allen

“When I look back at my time at Royal Mail affecting change, changing night shift patterns or whatever it might be, people have got to be with you. They might not like it, they might be a bit grumpy about it, but if you sit down and explain why you're going to do it, you've got half a chance of making it work.”

“I'd love to learn to salsa.”

“I think the state should be as small as possible and only there to pick up where people need help, such as the welfare state, and that feels more Conservative, but there's no massive burning reason why one or the other but that's where, on balance, the power lies to me and I want the people to hold the power, not the state.”

“MPs must be able to represent the best interests of their constituents and their country by holding the government to account.”

“Just as Government knows Brexit must not slam the door shut on our relationship with our European neighbours, it must not close down safe and legal routes for refugee children either.”

“I wear my heart on my sleeve and I don't think that would come as surprise to anybody.”

“I want us to have more MPs and more opportunity to change politics in this country.”

“Coming into the House of Commons from running my own manufacturing business in 2015, I have seen with my own eyes how improved our political system would be if it harnessed the diverse skills and experience of our country.”

“Being an MP is about country, constituents, party and self - in that order if you ask me.”

“Nigel Farage is on home turf on his soapbox. Like those who praise authoritarians, he is comfortable only when surrounded by his supporters and his security.”

“Coming to politics from business and being elected as MP for South Cambridgeshire in 2015, party tribalism is anathema to me.”

“Being an MP can be tough - there's no job description, no training manual, sometimes you feel like you're doing a good job and some days you're a blubbering mess - well, maybe that's just me.”

“While many people accept Brexit will mean new rules on how people come to our country, I suspect few believe it should force some of the world's most vulnerable children to make dangerous journeys with people smugglers.”

“We must not allow the U.K. to crash out of the E.U. without a deal and I will continue to work tirelessly with all colleagues to change the path our country is headed on.”

“It is important that, however we choose to describe the measures, we tackle child poverty head on.”

“Fundamentally, I'm sure I am very much on the left of the Tory Party, if you're going to say it's all right and left, but I think the difference for me between the two parties - because we do meet on a lot of things - is my sense that the Labour Party ethos is the state having a bigger role.”

“I see a modern world of coalition where it isn't just about two big parties.”

“Millions of people in Britain are looking to their MPs to step up, put traditional party allegiances aside and work together in the national interest.”

“I like a man who can move to music. Like my husband.”

“Because I've experienced some very different environments, I've worked and lived alongside real people. I haven't been stuck in an ivory tower - I can talk to people, I've been able to represent and lead them.”