For six and a half years, I had responsibility for leading the Labour party policy on education and delivering on our promise of improved opportunities for all our children.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
My mum was Labour-voting, but wanted us to know we were important. Basically, everyone's equal, but you, my children, are a bit better.
I know I have a responsibility as a role model to children and I try to fulfill that.
I've made a lifetime commitment to the union movement and to public education.
I joined the Labour party because I believed in equality, in freedom of speech and in tolerance, compassion and understanding for people, irrespective of their background and views. In whatever I decide to do in the future I will hold to those principles.
I think I was brought up with an innate sense of responsibility because my dad was in the Foreign Office where you were in somebody else's country, and you were aware of your behaviour. And my mum worked for the NHS, so you were aware of your responsibility to your country.
Giving children a fair chance to achieve their dreams and reach their potential is everyone's responsibility.
I've spent the better part of my career in politics and public policy working on and fighting for education reforms.
I made the decision a long time ago that I had an obligation to my children that I happily fulfilled.
I take full responsibility for my life and my career.
When I joined Labour in 1982, I didn't feel I belonged to a party born to power. My repeated experience was of bitter and repeated defeats.