A biography for Iain Duncan Smithhasn’t been written yet.
“There is nothing people can throw at me to say: 'Do this, do that.'”
“Due to the reliance on the old heavy industries in many parts of the country, it makes perfect sense that we need to spend more money per head of population on welfare support in Scotland.”
“With high underemployment - currently over one million part-time workers in the UK want to work more hours - sanctioning clients who cannot increase their hours seems to be both unworkable and unfair.”
“The BBC is locked to the reading of the economy that is run out of Ed Miliband and Ed Balls' office. They think if only you spend and borrow more money you can create growth everywhere.”
“Aspiration, it seems, is in danger of becoming the preserve of the wealthy.”
“Too many couples break up without understanding the consequences for their families.”
“Work is transformative. It gives you a greater chance of a greater income. You can affect your life while you're of working age, so you have scope and opportunity. Pensioners do not.”
“No I'm not a great believer in getting back over things and saying if only, or if, or buts because I don't think we actually get anywhere on that.”
“I think that the status that you have in life should be reflected in official documents. If you are married, fine, if you are living with someone, fine, if you are single, fine. We don't want to tell people how to live their lives.”
“Kids are meant to believe that their stepping stone to massive money is 'The X Factor.'”
“After years of piecemeal reform the current welfare system is complex and unfair.”
“My view is pensioners don't have the one option that people of working age have. They can't really increase their income, because they are no longer able to work.”
“I do not believe the picture that some people paint of Scottish towns dependent on welfare. Every time I come here, I meet people who are determined to get into work. Who, with the right help are desperate to get off benefits, support their family and set an example for their children.”
“The fact is that in too many communities in cities in Britain gangs now have become completely rooted into these communities and they destroy them around them.”
“Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.”
“A system that was originally designed to support the poorest in society is now trapping them in the very condition it was supposed to alleviate.”
“I went up to the top of the career ladder and I came down again, I am past all that.”
“No one out there is interested in who did what to whom in Westminster politics.”
“Getting a family into work, supporting strong relationships, getting parents off drugs and out of debt - all this can do more for a child's well-being than any amount of money in out-of-work benefits.”
“With participation in politics so low at the moment I think Christians should ensure their views are represented at all levels and not leave it to others.”