On Iraq:

“I accept that mistakes have been made. ... I’ll be listening to what the government of Iraq say and what people on the ground say over the next few weeks.

“I do think that over the next few months, the emphasis will shift. We’ve got to concentrate more on political reconciliation in Iraq; we’ve got to concentrate more on economic development so that people in Iraq, that they feel they’ve got a stake in the country for the future.”

On the Prime Minister:

“Tony Blair has led our country for 10 years with distinction, with courage, with passion and with insight.

“Look, I have worked with Tony Blair for more than 20 years. We shared an office together, we grew up in politics together, we work well together. I believe it was the right decision that he was leader of the Labour Party in 1994 and then Prime Minister and he believes it’s the right decision now that I am the right person and this is the right time for me.”

On terrorism:

“With the challenge of terrorism unlike anything that we have faced, the people of Britain want us strong in defence and security. Succeeding not only militarily but also opening a new front. Working with our allies to win hearts and minds at home and abroad. We have got to do more to win the battle of hearts and minds against al-Qaeda terrorism.

“If we do not fight a cultural and political and ideological attack against that form of extremism, then we will not be able to help the moderates.”

On listening:

“I will listen and I will learn. I will strive to meet people’s aspirations. I want to lead a government humble enough to know its place, where I will always strive to be – and that’s on people’s side.”

On Iran:

“In the next 20, 30 days we will have to reconsider the situation and that is exactly what we will do, based on a united international opinion, a determination to work together with our allies, and particularly with America, and an assurance that we will continue our policies of sanctions so that they work.”

On a constitution:

“Over the coming months I want to build a shared national consensus for a programme of constitutional reform that strengthens the accountability of all who hold power, that is clear about the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen in Britain today, that defends the Union and is vigilant about ensuring that the hard-won liberties of the individual, for which Britain has for centuries been renowned round the world, are at all times upheld without relenting in our attack on terrorism.”

On opening up:

“I do not believe politics is about celebrity. When you put yourself forward for leadership, the country has a right to know where you come from, what you believe in and what you want to achieve."

On Europe:

“As a pro-European Government, we want Europe to work well, but we believe in a Europe of governments co-operating with other governments and of course that is the basis on which we will look at what progress can be made.”

On calling a snap election:

“Let me remind you that one of the favourite slogans of the Conservative Party for a while before the election in 2005 was ‘Vote Blair, Get Brown’.”

On his parents:

“My father was a minister. For me, my parents were, and their inspiration still is, my moral compass. It’s a compass which has guided me through each stage of my life. they taught me the importance of integrity and decency, of treating people fairly and of duty to others.”

On the NHS:

“So the reason that I’m going round the country to talk to people in the Health Service is I believe we want to bring staff and patients together to a common agreement about what the next stage in the health service plans is going to contain, both financially and, of course, for the service to the patients.”

On raising a family:

“I too think all the time, like every parent, how I’m going to juggle the responsibilities of work and home life, and with an incredibly supportive wife in Sarah, we will try to do it, so I will try to be a good parent as well. These are the thoughts that go through your mind.”

On US-style hearings for public officials:

“I believe that there is a case for extending the idea of hearings for people who are holding major public appointments so that there are pre-confirmation hearings held in certain instances."

On Blair’s endorsement:

“I am pleased that Tony Blair, who is my friend, has endorsed me this morning. It was always his intention to do so as he made his own decision about when he was to leave."

On government accountability:

“Let me be absolutely clear, the way we have to govern is different in the future, the way we consult, engage and involve people will be different and I hope I have given an indication, as a start, of some of the things that will be done completely differently in the future.”

On the top job:

“I recognise that being Prime Minister is a different job, which carries additional and special responsibilities for the whole nation.”

On public services:

“Because I was fortunate enough to benefit from the best of education at my local school which helped me to university, and because I had the best of healthcare that saved my sight when I was injured playing rugby and struggled as a teenager, I want for my children and for all children the best education and the best healthcare.

“Education is my passion. Our priority for the coming months will be the NHS.”

On advisors from outside politics:

“I will form a Government of all the talents, bringing people together, to listen, to learn and solve problems building on a broad sense of national purpose.”

On trust:

“Just as my first act as Chancellor of the Exchequer was to give away power to the Bank of England to restore trust in economic policy, so one of my first acts as Prime Minister would be to restore power to Parliament in order to build the trust of the British people in our democracy. For example, in decisions about peace and war, in public appointments and in a new ministerial code of conduct.”

On Britain:

“Britain is a great country that in this century can become greater still. And our greatness lies not just in our history, but in the character of our people, our strength, demonstrated again and again, to come together as a community and unite around a shared national purpose.

On values:

“Let me set out simply my core belief. The Britain I believe in is a Britain of fairness and opportunity for all British citizens. Every British citizen with every chance to make the most of themselves, every community fair to every citizen.

“If you work hard you are better off, if you save you are rewarded, if you play by the rules we will stand by you. These are for me the best of British values: responsibilities required in return for rights, fairness not just for some but for all who earn it.

“So I say to my party, we have always served the country best when at every point we start from the concerns, the struggles and the rising aspirations of hard-working families and I say to the country, your priorities will be my driving purpose.”

On himself:

“Today there are new priorities and I offer a new leadership for this new time. It would be the greatest honour to be this country's Prime Minister.”

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