Nicola Sturgeon
I don't feel we need to be independent for me to feel confident in my Scottish identity. I think Scotland is pretty comfortable in its identity. We won't need independence to preserve it... if we don't become independent, it won't disappear; it isn't under existential threat.Collection: Independence
Scotland is not a region of the U.K.; Scotland is a nation, and if we cannot protect our interests within a U.K. that is going to be changing fundamentally, then that right of Scotland to consider the options of independence has to be there.Collection: Independence
I am a social democrat - I believe in pursuing greater equality and tackling social justice - but... you can't do that unless you have got a strong economy, unless you have got a vibrant business base earning the wealth that makes that possible.Collection: Equality
The importance of education is ingrained in Scottish history.Collection: History
I want there to be another independence referendum at some stage. I want Scotland to be independent, but I wouldn't choose to have it happen because England votes to come out of the E.U.Collection: Independence
True gender equality in Scotland - and elsewhere - is still some way off.Collection: Equality
Being a housewife is not important to me, but I'm never happier than when I come home and shut the door.Collection: Home
My pledge to you is that the SNP will put women and gender equality right at the heart of the Westminster agenda.Collection: Equality
Equality and prosperity shouldn't be seen as enemies of each other, but as partners. One reinforces the other.Collection: Equality
I'm not making any secret of the fact I still believe in independence. We'll continue to argue the case.Collection: Independence
A minority government can't govern without support from other parties.Collection: Government
It is hard to overstate the economic importance of the U.S.A. to Scotland, and that makes it essential that we engage with companies and potential investors and get the message across that we are open for business.Collection: Business
It's not opinion polls that determine the outcome of elections, it's votes in ballot boxes.
I do not want to see, for any reason, the Tories resurgent in any way.
I stand here today as the first woman first minister of our country. Every day I hold this office, I will work to ensure that every woman, every wee girl across this country, gets a chance to do what I've done and follow their dream.
American companies based in Scotland employ large numbers of people - in fact, we are the best performing part of the U.K., outside London and the southeast of England when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment.
The U.K. needs a strong opposition, and Labour shows no signs of being capable of being that. The SNP is filling that void and will go on seeking to do that.
Maybe unlike a lot of people who join the SNP today, I never had any expectation of a political career.
I think it is important the communities are listened to and that their voice is heard, particularly with local government boundaries more than parliamentary boundaries, because you are talking very much about communities. It can be a very emotive thing.
A good education is the most important gift we can give our young people.
Thatcher was the motivation for my entire political career. I hated everything she stood for.
People who think of a nationalist party sometimes think 'inward-looking and parochial.' The kind of nationalism I represent is the opposite of that.
I think you should always aim for more.
There is nothing in your background that inherently holds you back or means you can't achieve what others can achieve. You are the master of your own fate, and if you work hard, you can do what you want.
Our opposition to Trident is very clear, very firm, very long-standing, very principled, and we would seek to build an alliance to prevent the renewal of Trident.
One thing we've learned is that there's not anything that Nigel Farage won't blame on foreigners.
I do struggle to identify an occasion when I was held back because I'm a woman... You don't think about it at the time, but looking back at it, of course.
I'm not going to do anything that heralds in a Tory government.
As a young woman in politics, with few women around, you start to subconsciously behave like men in politics. That comes across as quite hard, tough and humorless, but you're trying to be taken seriously.
There's nothing in my background that would have said I was destined to be a senior politician.
I don't cook very often. Actually, I'd go further: I can't cook.
Let us put the normal divisions of politics aside. Let us come together as one country; let us seize this historic moment to shift the balance of power from the corridors of Westminster to the streets and communities of Scotland.
I drove my mum and dad mad.
What a war in Iraq will not do is bring about peace in the Middle East or end the injustices that feed resentment and breed terrorists.
One of Ed Miliband's shadow ministers has said he would never vote for the renewal of Trident.
Do I look like one of the most dangerous women in Britain? Come on!
The decision on whether there is another referendum is down to the Scottish people.
I've never had a voice coach, but I am about to name drop horrendously here: I did once get some advice on how to project my voice from Sean Connery, which was lovely. It's all about where you breathe. That's my claim to fame.
I and Alex Salmond are not in competition - we are on the same side; we are on the same team, working together.
Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, it is possible for other parties to change the direction of a government without bringing a government down.
I consider myself a selfie specialist.
As a veteran of many campaigns, I know how important it is not let up in the last few days.
I'm a politician, and as you know, politicians are rarely very funny.
Haggis is delicious. It is wonderful. It's spicy, it's tasty, and you get vegetarian haggis as well.
I thought if people were going to talk about what I wear, wouldn't it be good if they were talking about who designed it, who made it and if that's a Scottish company, so teaming up with Totty Rocks has been fantastic.
It still annoys me when I read really derogatory things about how a woman looks because you would usually not read these things about a man, and that still has the potential to put women off public life.
Men - the colour of their tie is the most difficult decision they have to make every day.
Twitter's probably my bad habit.
I believe we should support people to live, and I am therefore in favour of good quality palliative care.
London has a centrifugal pull on talent, investment and business from the rest of Europe and the world. That brings benefits to the broader U.K. economy.