Kenneth Clarke

“Without legal aid, and the dedicated lawyers who deliver it, our system of justice would quite simply collapse.”

“Margaret Thatcher and John Major knew that bluff and bravado doesn't work in Brussels.”

“Trade deals are not the vehicle for raising or lowering standards of protection for consumers, the environment, workers or anyone else. Regulations are made by governments and parliaments.”

“Britain's political voice depends on our role as a leading and influential member of the E.U. If we leave, we are of less value to our allies and of less concern to our enemies. We need the strongest voice we can get in the dangerous modern world.”

“Access to justice is a fundamental part of a properly functioning democracy.”

“I am a firm believer in open justice, and an opponent of closed justice in any normal circumstances. But I am also an opponent of legal purism, and have no time for institutionalised mythmaking - whether from the authoritarian right or the liberal left.”

“For those who want out, Brexit remains an end in itself, regardless of what is in the interest of our society, in terms of prosperity, security and influence on the wider world stage.”

“Politicians should inspire you to vote, they should appeal to people.”

“Jonathan Hill is an old friend of mine; I have worked with him for many years and know him to be a man of outstanding ability who has never sought a public profile.”

“My entire political career has been based on building up Britain's political standing and economic prosperity through our membership of the E.U. and the European project.”

“No country anywhere in the world allows material that genuinely puts national security at risk into the public domain, and that includes a courtroom.”

“When E.U. governments are able to agree on political and economic policies, they will remain a superpower to influence the Americans, the Russians, Indians and Chinese over the coming decades. Britain on its own would resume the decline which continued through most of the 20th century.”

“Energetic action on debt would make a radical difference to the prospects of many of the poorest countries in the world, at no practical cost to creditor countries.”

“I cannot remember a time in opposition - I am talking about the last four years - when we have done less work on policy and more on slogans. But because of my European views I wasn't allowed to participate.”

“I don't think at my age... you can start ruling people out in politics.”

“Margaret was the best prime minister of my lifetime. Mythology has turned Thatcher into someone regarded either as a goddess by her supporters or an evil witch by her opponents.”

“I am getting frustrated by the fact that we have been out of office for eight years. I desperately want to lead the Conservative Party to make quicker progress back into power.”