David Lidington

Moving to a new school, or up a year at an existing school - with new friends, teachers, subjects, rules and expectation - is a big deal for young people. All of us who are adults remember how daunting it was, but we sometimes take it for granted that children will be able to cope with the change.

I agree with those who say that democracies need to work together more effectively to stand up for the liberal democratic model that China is increasingly challenging. It's important for there to be an alliance of democracies.

I think we try to categorise people, put them in pigeon holes, I think we get into all sorts of difficulties.

There's going to be a need for a system of cooperation within the continent of Europe including the U.K. that covers both economic and political cooperation.

The closer you get to Number 10 the more you see what a back-breaking job that is, the pressure is absolutely constant and the loss of privacy is almost complete so I don't have ambitions in that direction and there is no vacancy nor likely to be during my time in politics.

It is often said that fathers can often find it hard to talk about their own feelings so there's no wonder they struggle to speak to their son or daughter about the topic.

I really believe that a child's mental health is just as important as his or her physical health.

We know that fathers find asking for help harder than mothers.

While the circumstances of any one situation are unique, it is clear that many families could have been helped if they had found it easier to talk openly about mental health challenges in the home.

If we could end the old fashioned idea that feeling down is something to be ashamed of, something that you shouldn't burden others with, we would make our society a much happier and healthier place.

Sometimes getting something off your chest to someone else is an important step in coping - so you know that you're not alone, you're not failing, and that it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed or sad at times. Everybody does.

The truth is, for many young people, the changing schools or starting a new academic year is really difficult to deal with.

The treaties of the European Union say that, once a country has decided to leave, then they are excluded from the treaty after two years, unless there is unanimous agreement to extend that period.

The CSSF and Prosperity Fund are making lives better, both at home and abroad.

The Prosperity Fund has found innovative ways to help developing countries to improve their infrastructure, skills, trade and business environments; introducing to them sustainable models of trade and growth, rather than reliance upon traditional aid.

The work of the CSSF and Prosperity Fund is guided by the National Security Council. As chair of the National Security Council Sub-Committee that oversees both funds, I am working to ensure that they are accountable and measurable against their intended objectives.

Taxpayers should be able to see where their money is being spent and what impact it is having.

We all want to believe that our country's forces have, at all times and even under extreme pressure, acted with both humanity and honour.

In countries that lack a longstanding and entrenched commitment to the rule of law, it can be hard to recruit, train and keep prosecutors and judges who are both independent and effective, even in the face of attempted intimidation or corruption.

In many countries, the authority of the state is weak and openly defied by militias and terrorist groups. In others, state forces themselves act with impunity.

Ukrainians are entitled to decide their own future.

A stable, prosperous and peaceful Ukraine is in the interests of everyone in the region.

Every voter in Ukraine should have their say on the future they want for their country.

Trust in the ability of people to make decisions about their own future is a fundamental tenet of democracy.

The Foreign Office works hard to remind people of local laws and customs as often they can be very different to British law.

There's merit in ministers being just open with the public about the inherent complexity and uncertainty of many of the decisions that they are taking.

A strong devolved government is vital so that we have proper local decision-making, helping to strengthen the economy and build a more united community.

The United Kingdom is already a remarkable success story. So as we navigate global challenges, including the U.K.'s exit from the European Union, we must continue to champion and strengthen the bonds we share.

Northern Ireland has a unique place in the Union. As the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement enshrined in law, the people of Northern Ireland can be British, Irish or neither.

As Minister for the Cabinet Office, working to maintain the integrity of our Union has been one of my most rewarding responsibilities.

We think it is possible to get the benefits of a customs union but still have the flexibility for the U.K. to pursue an independent trade policy on top of that with other countries outside the E.U.

Russia and China deride western democracy and deploy both hard and soft power to promote their alternative models of political development.

Every European country faces threats which ignore national frontiers: pandemics, climate change, terrorism and organised crime.

It is vital that people are aware of what the Foreign Office can and can't do.

Prison conditions in some parts of the world can be very poor, overcrowded and, in some cases, dangerous and sentences can be much tougher than in the U.K.

People are mistaken if they think the Foreign Office can get you out of jail. We can't, but we will work hard to try and ensure your safety, and that you get a fair trial.

After we leave the E.U., the British Standards Institute should also remain a member of the European Standards Organisation, which is not an E.U. institution.

We can restore E.U. growth through reducing regulation, strengthening governance, pushing ahead with free trade agreements and strengthening the single market.

Our competitors outside Europe are manufacturing goods cheaper and better. Through innovation, other countries are producing new products which we do not make yet, but which we could.

It is in our nations' interests to see a strong European Union with a growing economy, competitive on the world market.

A desire to see significant reform and change is perfectly compatible with our belief that membership of the E.U. is in our national interest.

As the Eurozone takes steps towards closer fiscal and economic integration, and as the E.U. continues to develop, we need to be absolutely clear when it is most appropriate to take decisions at the national or local level, closer to the people affected, and in other cases when it is best to take action at the E.U. or global level.

The U.K. has always had good track record in providing leadership and a constructive agenda for change.

Being part of the E.U. is central to how we in the U.K. create jobs, expand trade and protect our interests around the world.

Russia is a major power; it should live up to its international responsibilities.

Many people might wonder why conserving wildlife should be considered so important when there are wider issues of global and national interest, such as conflict and poverty to worry about. The answer is because these issues are interlinked.

In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.

Although I wanted to Remain, I know the E.U. is not perfect. I have attended more than enough of its council meetings and read enough of its commission papers to understand its flaws.

There were many reasons why people voted to leave the European Union in 2016. But my impression, having campaigned to remain in the E.U., is that above all else, people throughout this country sought to regain a feeling of control - not just of our laws, but over our lives too, and the people we elect into office.

I want to see prison numbers come down. We need better custody that cuts reoffending and crime. And we need to ensure judges, magistrates and the public have full confidence in the other penalties available.