Louise Mensch

"I stood for parliament with the amazing support and help of my ex-husband, but it's not something that was handed to me like a peerage. I worked hard and was elected. So my achievements, such as they are, are my own."

"I'm not sure I make old bones in parliament. It's an amazing experience to have had but I can't see myself being Mother of the House."

"I'm not embarrassed about the novels I wrote when I was younger, but I couldn't write them today because of my religion."