Nicola Sturgeon

“I'm a politician, and as you know, politicians are rarely very funny.”

“I am a social democrat - I believe in pursuing greater equality and tackling social justice - but... you can't do that unless you have got a strong economy, unless you have got a vibrant business base earning the wealth that makes that possible.”

“Literally every time I'm on camera, as well as there being commentary on what I've said, there'll be commentary on what my hair looked like, what I wear. Often it's written in the most hideous and quite cruel way.”

“Scotland's relationship with Malawi is perhaps unique - with almost every town or village in Scotland having some connection.”

“Poverty is on the increase - due to welfare cuts - and demand for food banks has rocketed.”

“The importance of education is ingrained in Scottish history.”

“I think the first decision I took when I became a government minister was to reverse the planned closure of Monklands Accident and Emergency. It's an issue close to my heart.”

“Men - the colour of their tie is the most difficult decision they have to make every day.”

“I like Indian takeaway.”

“My early years as a political activist were dominated by the poll tax.”

“Clearly, any issues about breaching of expenses rules should be properly investigated.”

“Personally, I can think of no greater privilege than to lead the party I joined when I was just 16.”

“London has a centrifugal pull on talent, investment and business from the rest of Europe and the world. That brings benefits to the broader U.K. economy.”

“Glasgow is a great city.”

“The Scottish Government will continue to do all it can to get people into work.”

“Maybe its time for politicians to fight back a little bit in terms of this notion that politicians are all in it for themselves, we're all the same, we're not driven by sincere motives. Because the fact of the matter is the vast majority are.”

“People don't want to go back to the days, pre-referendum, when the Westminster establishment sidelined and ignored Scotland. They want Scotland's voice to be heard.”

“I consider myself a selfie specialist.”

“Because of lower life expectancy in Scotland - something that we are working hard to improve - the average woman will get £11,000 less in pension payments than counterparts in the rest of the U.K., even though she will pay exactly the same in contributions.”

“It still annoys me when I read really derogatory things about how a woman looks because you would usually not read these things about a man, and that still has the potential to put women off public life.”