Labour parades compassion for the poor, but it practised casual cruelty by consigning millions to benefits. Yet there's nothing compassionate about being trapped on benefits, being robbed of the dignity of work, and shut out from the choices that brings.

Esther McVey

Categorized in : Nothing Work Compassion Choices

It is only by giving people the tools to empower themselves will they be able to achieve their potential.

Esther McVey

will achieve giving people

Most people fall upon tough times at some point.

Esther McVey

tough-times tough people fall

If feminism was a dress, it would be that essential little black number, reached for in times of need; different for everyone but a steady constant in a woman's life. Outspoken or understated, demure or provocative, worn to reflect the mood, the personality, the time.

Esther McVey

dress personality time life

Success isn't anything to do with being lucky. It's knowing what you want, taking the necessary action, and believing you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Esther McVey

you mind action success

If your route is that you are practically minded, and that is what presses your button, and you do an apprenticeship and you get a job that way, that is fantastic.

Esther McVey

your job you way

I come from a background where people have had their own business, where it has been incredibly tough for a long period of time, and you are only as good as the last contract you have got, as the last job you have done, where the notion of a precarious existence does exist, as it does for a lot of people.

Esther McVey

good you business time

Growing up with a bold feminist in my mother, I witnessed her march magnificently from mini to maxi, fashions so obviously linked to powerful statements of female progression, equality and recognition. I knew no other than freedom of expression in all the forms it came in; art, theatre, fashion, literature and music.

Esther McVey

music freedom mother art

My dissertation focused on the character traits and personality types of successful women.

Esther McVey

focused women personality character

I work with a host of amazing women who act as role models, who give their spare time freely to encourage these girls to give things a go, to reach out and take a chance and to explain that should they fail, well that's just a part of life.

Esther McVey

women work time life

Lifelong learning is becoming commonplace, with people studying at different times when they see the benefits of doing so.

Esther McVey

studying doing learning people

We have seen a shift in the focus of education before entering the workplace, with earning and learning the new norm.

Esther McVey

new learning focus education

People no longer have one job for life, so it is right that younger generations adapt.

Esther McVey

right job life people

Work experience for many is their first taste of work and an essential first step into the jobs market.

Esther McVey

first-step step experience work

Not only does work experience provide the opportunity to sample a potential career, but it also builds the essential skills often regarded as 'soft skills' that are needed to thrive in work.

Esther McVey

career experience work opportunity

I, for one, want to make sure we give every young person the chance to find the fuel for their confidence, something that will power their ambition.

Esther McVey

confidence chance ambition power

Everyone deserves the chance to make their own choices. The first step on this pathway is experiencing the working world.

Esther McVey

step chance choices world

Outside Westminster, political debate must seem like white noise that bears little relevance to people's everyday lives. But political choices made by the governments we elect have a real impact on how we live.

Esther McVey

debate political white people

Labour's disastrous legacy and the Conservative success did not happen by accident: it was about the choices each party made, choices that impact on everyone.

Esther McVey

legacy party choices success

Every Labour government has left office with higher unemployment than when it entered.

Esther McVey

left unemployment government office

I'm forever being told, and intrinsically understand, that people want to study at different times in their lives, often inspired to do so when they see the practical benefits of their studies.

Esther McVey

understand see want people