I don't think of myself as a role model. I do try to live in a compassionate considerate and positive way. The only advice I can offer is to find what you love to do find the joy in it and express yourself through your passion.

Getting sober just exploded my life. Now I have a much clearer sense of myself and what I can and can't do. I am more successful than I have ever been. I feel very positive where I never did before and I think that's all a direct result of getting sober.

So I had to be careful. I recognized the responsibility that whether I liked it or not I had to accept whatever the obligation was. That was to behave in a manner to carry myself in such a professional way as if there ever is a reflection it's a positive one.

I really struggle with that feeling of helplessness. That's why I really try to get my blogs and even myself to point to the positive and look at all the inspiring things that are happening.

And I have to work so hard at talking positively to myself. If I don't it's just real hard to get through the day and I'll get really down and just want to cry. My whole body language changes. I get more slumped over.

A year or so ago I went through all the people in my life and asked myself: does this person inspire me genuinely love me and support me unconditionally? I wanted nothing but positive influences in my life.

Every week I read about myself in a magazine about something that I haven't done or some place that I've never been or don't even know. It's just gossip rumors egos and politics.

My job is to look at what politics is doing not be a politician myself.

I will go to the next election saying to Australians vote for me vote for the Liberal Party and I will become your PM. So I'm offering myself as the alternative PM - that's one way people describe the Leader of the Opposition - but I'm not in politics for myself to realize a personal ambition.

I've committed myself to serve my constituents in South Shields and I have committed myself to British politics.