--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In my time as defence secretary there are…" description: "\"In my time as defence secretary there are people who have felt that may be I have been outspoken on behalf of the Armed Forces or pushed things. I thin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/gavin-williamson-5676_armed-forces_in-my-time-as-defence-secretary-there-ar_999622.jpg" --- # In my time as defence secretary there are people who have… ![“In my time as defence secretary there are people who have felt that may be I have been outspoken on behalf of the Armed Forces or pushed things. I think it is my duty to do that.” quote by Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/gavin-williamson-5676_armed-forces_in-my-time-as-defence-secretary-there-ar_999622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/gavin-williamson-5676_armed-forces_in-my-time-as-defence-secretary-there-ar_999622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/gavin-williamson-5676_armed-forces_in-my-time-as-defence-secretary-there-ar_999622.jpg) > “In my time as defence secretary there are people who have felt that may be I have been outspoken on behalf of the Armed Forces or pushed things. I think it is my duty to do that.” [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He feels duty to speak out for the Armed Forces, even if controversial. **In simple terms:** Duty to advocate for military despite criticism. Key Takeaway Speak up for what you believe is right. Themes responsibility military advocacy Mood assertive defensive Type political personal When to use this quote - defence policy - public statements - media interviews Key Concepts duty outspokenness politics Questions to Reflect On - Is it always appropriate to be outspoken? - How do you balance duty and diplomacy? A Different Perspective Risk of politicizing defence matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Armed forces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) [Defence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defence/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [If the basis of trust between the Prime Minister and her Defence Secretary no longer exists, there is no place for me with honour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-heseltine/if-the-basis-of-trust-between-the-prime-minister-and-her-defence/) [Michael Heseltine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-heseltine/) > [I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ainsworth/i-never-expected-to-be-defence-secretary-it-s-a-great-privilege/) [Bob Ainsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ainsworth/) > [Britain First, the English Defence League, the British National Party, and the National Front are all guilty of using British symbols and institutions (notably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rudd/britain-first-the-english-defence-league-the-british-national-party/) [Amber Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rudd/) > [The spirit of sacrifice and selflessness of the defence forces is an inspiration for all Indians. Strong armed forces are necessary for an atmosphere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-spirit-of-sacrifice-and-selflessness-of-the-defence-forces-is-an/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [If the Royal Navy and wider defence is to deliver on the ambitions of our country, we must tackle the inadequate funding and political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-mordaunt/if-the-royal-navy-and-wider-defence-is-to-deliver-on-the-ambitions-of/) [Penny Mordaunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-mordaunt/) > [Scotland forms a crucial part of our Armed Forces which should not be jeopardised by rushed cuts or a rush to the exit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hammond/scotland-forms-a-crucial-part-of-our-armed-forces-which-should-not-be/) [Philip Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hammond/) > [“Civilians enjoy their time because soldiers sacrifice their time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/civilians-enjoy-their-time-because-soldiers-sacrifice-their-time/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Our Armed Forces do a magnificent job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/our-armed-forces-do-a-magnificent-job/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [The brave men and women who make up our Armed Forces deserve our thanks and appreciation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/the-brave-men-and-women-who-make-up-our-armed-forces-deserve-our/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [I pay tribute to all our Armed Forces and allies who have helped fight Daesh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/i-pay-tribute-to-all-our-armed-forces-and-allies-who-have-helped/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Satellite technology is not just a crucial tool for our Armed Forces but vital to our way of life, whether that be access to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/satellite-technology-is-not-just-a-crucial-tool-for-our-armed-forces/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Since the Second World War, the British Armed Forces have excelled at every challenge assigned to them in theatres across the globe. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/since-the-second-world-war-the-british-armed-forces-have-excelled-at/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-think-it-s-the-duty-of-the-comedian-to-find-out-where-the-line-is/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-that-i-will-do-whatsoever-i-think-to-be-most-to-god-s-glory/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I shall act as I think my duty requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-shall-act-as-i-think-my-duty-requires/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) ## More by Gavin Williamson > [Free speech underpins our democratic society and our universities have a long and proud history of being places where students and academics can express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/free-speech-underpins-our-democratic-society-and-our-universities/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [I will continue to put the safety and wellbeing of pupils, students and staff at the heart of all decision making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/i-will-continue-to-put-the-safety-and-wellbeing-of-pupils-students/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [All schools should provide a safe learning environment, and everyone in them should be able to go about their business without fear of intimidation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/all-schools-should-provide-a-safe-learning-environment-and-everyone/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [I always think about my friends who I went to school, college and university with and I know for so many of them school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/i-always-think-about-my-friends-who-i-went-to-school-college-and/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Outside the classroom, the use of mobile phones distracts from healthy exercise and good old-fashioned play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/outside-the-classroom-the-use-of-mobile-phones-distracts-from-healthy/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Labour's frankly dangerous plan to scrap Ofsted would see children less safe. Their policy of abolishing all primary assessments would remove accountability. Their abolition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/labour-s-frankly-dangerous-plan-to-scrap-ofsted-would-see-children/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Our teachers are incredibly hardworking and dedicated professionals. Having to deal with unruly pupils and disruption on a daily basis adds to their workload…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/our-teachers-are-incredibly-hardworking-and-dedicated-professionals/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [I remain optimistic that with the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine, 2021 will be the year we overcome coronavirus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/i-remain-optimistic-that-with-the-roll-out-of-the-covid-19-vaccine/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Rather than manufacturing offences from the past, let us instead come together to tackle injustice and promote equality for students and staff today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/rather-than-manufacturing-offences-from-the-past-let-us-instead-come/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Ultimately I want to see all the regions in this country have a specialist maths school, I want every big city to have at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/ultimately-i-want-to-see-all-the-regions-in-this-country-have-a/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Not every pupil has a laptop and not every family has Internet access.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/not-every-pupil-has-a-laptop-and-not-every-family-has-internet-access/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Astonishingly, I am only the second Education Secretary to have gone to a comprehensive but I can tell you, it doesn't matter what kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/astonishingly-i-am-only-the-second-education-secretary-to-have-gone/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Coming from a Labour-voting family, I grew up with a clear understanding of the tribal nature of Labour politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/coming-from-a-labour-voting-family-i-grew-up-with-a-clear/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Some people know from an early age that they want to go to university. It's part of their plan for life; a given. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/some-people-know-from-an-early-age-that-they-want-to-go-to-university/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [It is a grave mistake for any Prime Minister to fail to recognise when a plan will not work and it is fatal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/it-is-a-grave-mistake-for-any-prime-minister-to-fail-to-recognise/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) [Explore all 100 Gavin Williamson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) ## More Armed forces quotes > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [Recruitment and retention are critical to sustain our Armed Forces with the best men and women willing to stand in the gap and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/recruitment-and-retention-are-critical-to-sustain-our-armed-forces/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My father was in the military; he was a captain. His service was to quote-unquote integrate the Armed Forces overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/my-father-was-in-the-military-he-was-a-captain-his-service-was-to/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/) [Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/) > [“The highest ranking Russian intelligence officer to defect from Russia, Stanislav Lunev, testified at a Congressional hearing held in California in January, 2000. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/the-highest-ranking-russian-intelligence-officer-to-defect-from/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [A colonial war is a very dirty kind of war. You're not fighting armed forces. You're fighting mostly unarmed people. And to fight that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/a-colonial-war-is-a-very-dirty-kind-of-war-you-re-not-fighting-armed/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Scotland forms a crucial part of our Armed Forces which should not be jeopardised by rushed cuts or a rush to the exit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hammond/scotland-forms-a-crucial-part-of-our-armed-forces-which-should-not-be/) [Philip Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hammond/) > [The people of Iraq are grateful for what the people of the United States of America and our armed forces and our coalition forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-isakson/the-people-of-iraq-are-grateful-for-what-the-people-of-the-united/) [Johnny Isakson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-isakson/) > [I have deep respect for our armed forces and jawans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-kumaraswamy/i-have-deep-respect-for-our-armed-forces-and-jawans/) [H. D. Kumaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-kumaraswamy/) > [“The ultimate objective of all military operations is the destruction of the enemy’s armed forces and his will to fight.”\* This sums up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-wylie/the-ultimate-objective-of-all-military-operations-is-the-destruction/) [J.C. Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-wylie/) > [Relations between States, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with...truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/relations-between-states-as-between-individuals-must-be-regulated-not/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/word-to-the-nation-guard-zealously-your-right-to-serve-in-the-armed/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [If Congress grants permission, I would put armed forces in the streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/if-congress-grants-permission-i-would-put-armed-forces-in-the-streets/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-lead-uninstructed-people-to-war-is-to-throw-them-away/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Americans will forever be proud of the brave men and women of our armed forces who served in World War II, and we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/americans-will-forever-be-proud-of-the-brave-men-and-women-of-our/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) [Browse all 342 Armed forces quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In my time as defence secretary there are people who have felt that may be I have been outspoken on behalf of the Armed Forces or pushed things. 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