Iain Duncan Smith

Sir George Iain Duncan Smith (born 9 April 1954), often referred to by his initials IDS, is a British politician who served as Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. He was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from 2010 to 2016. He has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Chingford and Woodford Green, formerly Chingford, since 1992.

2016

 * Always leave them wanting more.


 * Uncontrolled migration from the EU drove down wages, undercutting UK workers, and increased the cost of living which hit the poorest hardest. There is an increasing divide between people who benefit from the immigration of cheap nannies and baristas and labourers - and people who can't find work because of uncontrolled immigration
 * John McDonnell criticises EU vote campaign 'negativity' BBC News (17 May 2016)


 * The government itself now had a view... which was to remain, and so now we need to change that position and actually deliver on this very clear mandate from the British people.
 * Brexit: New PM 'should come from Leave camp' BBC News (26 June 2016)


 * I said consistently throughout that we need to get control of our borders and the only way to do that is to leave the European Union… Once we do that we are in a much stronger position to achieve that objective of bringing down migration to tens of thousands within this Parliament - I will stand by that.
 * Brexit: New PM 'should come from Leave camp' BBC News (26 June 2016)

2018

 * When she gets into negotiations with her European counterparts about trade arrangements, could she remind them that cake exists to be eaten and cherries exist to be picked.
 * Speech in Parliament referring to the metaphor, widely-used in reference to the UK government's Brexit policy, that you can't have your cake and eat it (5 March 2018)

2019

 * We have legislated to leave the EU, with or without a deal. That is what people voted for.
 * Brexit: 20 Tory rebels inflict no-deal defeat on government BBC News (8 January 2019)


 * We have had more than 100 hours in Committee over the past three and a half years. The reality is that, if there is anything about this arrangement that we have not now debated and thrashed to death, I would love to know what it is.
 * Speaking during debate on ratification of Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (22 October 2019)

2020

 * Buried in the fine print, unnoticed by many, is the fact we remain hooked into the EU's loan book. You can't be half in the EU & half out, the problem is the WA. It costs too much & it denies us true national independence.
 * Commenting on details of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (3 August 2020)

Quotes about Iain Duncan Smith

 * Iain and Duncan Smith: it's the first time identical twins have ever lead a major political party.
 * [On hearing his first name is actually George] There's three of them!?
 * Paul Merton on  (2 November 2001)