Charles Kennedy
Music and politics are in essence about communication. Without over-stretching the analogy I do feel a sense of rhythm is important in getting your message across.Collection: Music
We believe that government in Britain is there to protect people from terrorism and from the worst criminality, but never at the expense of our civil liberties and the basic tenets of our legal system.Collection: Legal
I should do something about the cigarettes; I quite accept that it's bad for your health, but you know a moderate tipple is positively beneficial and, at certain times, absolutely essential.Collection: Health
The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.Collection: Politics
The most special relationships, in my experience, are based on a combination of trust and mutual respect.Collection: Respect
Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.Collection: Courage
As Liberal Democrats and proponents of federalism, we must put our heads above the parapet and recapture and disseminate the true meaning of federalism. We have to win the vocabulary before we succeed in the vision.
When I started knocking on Highland doors in May 1983, two things struck me more than any other. First was the sheer depth of hostility towards the Tories in general. Second was the particular hostility towards Margaret Thatcher and her local ministerial spear-carrier, energy minister and incumbent MP of 13 years' standing, Hamish Gray.
As I spread my wings in politics, I discovered many Thatcher voters down south who were the same kind of people who loathed her in Scotland. They were puzzled by the Scots' antipathy, given the Falklands war and the strong militaristic history of the Highlands and elsewhere.
That 1983 general election contained the telltale seeds of eventual Scottish Tory self-destruction.
I have always considered myself of the reforming centre-left.
The House of Lords has many fine aspects, but at its heart, it is a betrayal of the core democratic principle that those in the enlightened world hold so dear - that those who make the laws of the land should be elected by those who must obey those laws.
Labour politicians for generations have fought to bring democracy to the House of Lords.
We must restore faith in politics. Reform of the House of Lords is only one part of the answer, but it is a vital one.
A smaller-size party and parliamentary membership does not necessarily equate to lesser demands; if anything, the opposite can be the case.
As a Scot, representing a Scottish constituency for almost the past 25 years, I do not harbour an overweening ambition to pronounce on each and every matter exclusively English.
As someone who has led his party through two general elections, I have not always been immune from feeling the pressure of electioneering tactics.
I did not dwell on the issue of Europe during either the 2001 or the 2005 campaigns - despite it being a pivotal personal concern and despite seeing it as something of a litmus test for liberal democracy.
The growing influence of focus groups means we are all in danger of being excessively cowed by their feedback.
Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.
Good political leadership for me involves getting the big decisions right - however difficult, however controversial, however potentially divisive - and then being able to take people with you.
It is my determination that we, as a party, continue to make that fundamental restatement of liberal values in the politics of our country.
It is the government's fundamental duty to ensure the security of every individual citizen.
Just as we Liberal Democrats opposed the flawed logic of that war in Iraq - we will oppose the flawed government claim that we have to surrender our fundamental rights in order to improve our security.
We believe that government in Britain should improve the quality of people's lives and improve the quality of our public services in every local community.
We believe that government in Britain should be working to restore our reputation on the international stage after Iraq and engage better within Europe.
We want a strong, vibrant economy for Britain so that we can set out a clear and affordable alternative programme for government.
If British troops are committed to action, then the nation will, of course, support them. Their courage and skill is not in doubt.
It would be a tragedy if the remarkable international coalition against terrorism, successfully marshalled in the aftermath of 11 September, were to fragment over a unilateral U.S. strike against Baghdad.
We all accept the world would be safer without Saddam's baleful dictatorship.
It must be a judge - never a politician - who decides whether someone is to be locked up.
Tony Blair took us to war in Iraq on the basis of the supposed threat of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.
I believe that our country is a richer, more vibrant society precisely because it is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic society.
This country has a proud history of opening its doors to generations of people fleeing personal persecution, civil unrest and war.
We opposed unlimited detention without trial. We stood up for trial by jury as well. And of course we spoke up for asylum seekers and for the most vulnerable in our society.
Only the Liberal Democrats have probed the government's failings consistently, thoroughly and effectively.
With every day that passes, David Blunkett becomes more insensitive in his language and more intemperate in his actions.
We have a Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, both elected by fairer votes - involving proportional representation.
I listened to the students on campus in Plymouth, worried about their steadily deepening debts and how on earth they would ever escape them.
People have a huge desire to be listened to, for politicians to take the time to understand their problems.
Ours is a stable country. Ours is a sensible country. And ours is a fundamentally decent country.
Democracy demands trust. It demands that sense of mutual understanding. And - it's a two way street. You've got to give - as much as you take.
We are no longer a nation of one church; we are a nation of many churches.
Gratification and happiness are becoming important measures of our quality of life.
We Liberal Democrats don't believe we should use the tax structure to champion just one type of family.
Political parties need to look at the different kinds of support that people may need, suited to their way of life, and provide cost-effective solutions.
The terrorist seeks to smash the most fundamental liberty of all: the right to lead our everyday lives on the basic assumption of safety.
I believe when the country feels threatened it is important that we are seen to be working together to find an appropriate structure for dealing with terrorists in our midst.
There is always a temptation for governments: see a problem and announce a quick fix.
The late Roy Jenkins was both a mentor and a personal friend. He was a man of both phenomenal intellect and political achievement in equal measure.