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

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.

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 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.

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.

In the face of Covid-19, everything else seems a side-issue.

It is in all our interests to help the world become more peaceful, stable, and prosperous.

We live in an age of innovation, where digital technology is providing solutions to problems before we've even realised we needed them. We see it every day as we find new ways to travel, eat and shop.

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

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.

Prison officers face enormous pressure. The levels of violence inside our prisons are too high.

Cyber attacks are not going away.

I always enjoy speaking at schools. The questions are usually direct but courteous and designed to elicit an answer rather than to simply impress the friends of whoever is asking them.

The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary underpin our democracy and lie at the heart of our way of life. They are the very cornerstone of our freedoms.

The U.K. is at the heart of intelligence gathering with our allies to call out hostile activity.

Having spent six years as Europe Minister, I am in no doubt about the technical challenge Brexit presents lawmakers.

The E.U. Withdrawal Bill fulfils an absolutely essential role in delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit.

As the Chair of the National Security Council Sub-Committee overseeing the CSSF and Prosperity Fund, I am proud of what it has achieved in tackling instability and preventing conflicts that threaten U.K. interests.

In a world of competing conflicts and challenges, the U.K.'s investment in global security, and a willingness to trial new approaches and respond to emerging threats, is an important part of standing up for our values.

Conflicts do not respect borders.

Even in normal times, a senior cabinet minister faces a workload that is relentless and crushing.

Cabinet government rests on the principle of collective responsibility: Ministers debate and argue in private but then hammer out a common policy which they all agree to support.

The Brexit debate has been difficult and divisive.

To deliver a smooth, orderly Brexit, we must build a majority for a deal.

While the E.U. Withdrawal Act ensures that Brexit will work for all the devolved nations and our U.K. devolution settlements, the special requirements of Northern Ireland, which uniquely shares a land border with another E.U. member state, present a more formidable challenge.

Both the U.K. and the E.U. have made a sincere commitment to the people of Northern Ireland: there will be no hard border. Equally, as a U.K. government, we could not countenance a future in which a border was drawn in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.

After Brexit, the E.U. will no longer legislate for us. All laws will be passed by the U.K. parliament and the devolved legislatures. Parliament will be truly sovereign, with the freedom to accept or reject any new rules.

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

Ukrainians are entitled to decide their own future.

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.

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.

South Korea is a vigorous democracy, with strong judicial institutions and a commitment to the rule of law.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.