“My Catholic background has certainly affected the way I view life and it has become integral to everything I do. It has given me a belief in things like structure, marriage, family, compassion for the poor, the importance of community - but I don't like to wear religion on my sleeve, I prefer to have it integrated into what I do.”
“At the root of problems such as drug addiction and breakdown of community is the breakdown of the family, and in particular the breakdown of marriage. For a long time I have tried to get politicians to accept that this problem is no longer an issue that can be shoved into the box marked 'lifestyle choice'; it must be discussed.”
“The future of Conservatism lies in our beliefs and values, not by throwing them away. We need to shed associations that bind us to past failures, but hold faith with those things that make us Conservatives.”
“That thing, 'You must stay together for the kids', is out of fashion but is right. It's not arguing parents that children don't like, it is having one parent.”
“With participation in politics so low at the moment I think Christians should ensure their views are represented at all levels and not leave it to others.”
“Politics is a rough trade and I can take it with the best of them. I have demonstrated I am capable of taking the worst of blows, even when they are almost so ludicrous as to be bizarre, but I do draw the line at families. I always have. I try to keep my family out of my politics as much as possible.”
