Bob Ainsworth
Bob Ainsworth
Robert William "Bob" Ainsworthis a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliamentfor Coventry North East from 1992 to 2015, and was the Secretary of State for Defence from 2009 to 2010. Following the general election in 2010 he was the Shadow Defence Secretary, but was replaced by Jim Murphy following the election of new Labour leader Ed Miliband...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth19 June 1952
power
On the back benches, you can have your say but no power to do anything.
armed forces life major similar
If I had another life, that's what I'd be - a regimental sergeant major or a similar rank. That's where the spirit of the armed forces is.
appointed defence forces minister prior
I was Minister for the Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence for two years prior to being appointed Defence Secretary.
defence history keen subject
I have always had a keen interest in defence and military history and read more on this subject than anything else.
defence environment quickly respond security
Defence must be more adaptable, able to respond quickly to the changes in the security environment and the character of conflict.
armed forces life major sergeant similar
My heroes are the non-commissioned officers. If I had another life that's what I'd be - a regimental sergeant major or a similar rank. That's where the spirit of the armed forces is.
decided facial people
It's true that people were told facial hair was not appreciated by the British public, but I just decided to keep the moustache.
front health improve manifesto people saying stand stick
If you stand at an election and put a manifesto in front of people saying you're going to improve health care, you have to stick by that.
core despite good hard
It's hard to find good teamwork in practice, and I have never thought that we, as a party, were any better at working as a team than the Tories, despite our core values.
despite leadership political
Despite the increasingly presidential style of political leadership in our country, teamwork is essential.
doctorate great pretend
I have strengths, and I have weaknesses. I don't pretend to be able to write a great thesis or doctorate - I have no pretensions in that direction.
long tough backgrounds
I come from a pretty tough background and I learned a long time ago not to be bothered.
country war west
We in the West walked away from Afghanistan at the end of the Cold War and left it as a country devastated socially and armed to the teeth. If we do that again, there will be consequences.
privilege defence expected
I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege.