Julia Hartley-Brewer

“The best way to cope with miscarriage is for men and women to talk - to their partners, to their friends, to a counsellor.”

“We are often told that health inequalities are about money, that poor people cannot afford to live healthy lifestyles, but that is far too simplistic.”

“Soldiering on is a national trait of which to be proud, not one to be mocked.”

“It is not disrespectful or offensive to refuse to sing a song that espouses views with which you actively disagree; it is simply being honest.”

“We already punch well above our weight thanks to our economic might, our military and our soft power. That isn't going to change if we leave the E.U.”

“The one good thing to come out of the entire Brexit saga is that at least we, the poor hitherto unsuspecting voters, now know that many of our elected representatives don't respect us at all.”

“If ever there was a sign that normal life really is about to resume, it is the annual trip to buy new school shoes.”

“Chancellors have long been known to keep one last trick up their sleeves on Budget Day so that, at the end of a long, turgid speech, they can pull a rabbit from the hat with a flourish and bask in the glory of cheering backbenchers.”

“I'm far less bothered by on screen stars earning the big bucks than the legions of middle management behind the scenes at the BBC who enjoy six figure salaries at taxpayers' expense.”

“Indeed, there's nothing remotely comfortable about having to be funny in front of a 300-strong live studio audience to record a television show that is broadcast to millions, where you are required not only to know about the news but to be entertaining about it too.”

“Love Actually' is the most Marmite of all British films. Does it make you want to cry, or be copiously sick with disgust?”

“Card games are one of the best ways to teach basic maths skills. From adding up and multiplying to understanding probability, there is no better maths tool.”

“If there is one sentence I never thought I would write it is this one: I agree with Jeremy Corbyn.”

“Just as good schools need strong headteachers, so good governments need strong prime ministers.”

“Sure, for a one-to-one chat about life, the universe and everything, give me a woman. But when it comes to a group gathering, whether for work or play, I'd opt for men every time.”

“The most fundamental principle of the law is that it must apply equally to everyone.”

“The Government and the police are only able to do their jobs with the consent of the people.”

“There's a difference between right and wrong and most people know where that line should be drawn. But there's an even bigger and starker difference between what should and should not be a crime.”

“I hold no candle for any political party, but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in growing weary of the incessant 'evil Tories' propaganda broadcast 24 hours a day on every panel show. As a Brexiteer, the only way to escape the non-stop refrain of 'Leave voters are all stupid and racist' is to reach for the 'off' button.”

“Playing cards crosses borders without any language barriers. I have played card games with Cambodian villagers, in bars in Cuba, on dive boats in the Indian Ocean and on safari in South Africa.”