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This country has a proud history of opening its doors to generations of people fleeing personal persecution, civil unrest and war.
Charles Kennedy
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We'll need to revise the tired assumption that people automatically become more conservative as they grow older.
Charles Kennedy
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We want a strong, vibrant economy for Britain so that we can set out a clear and affordable alternative programme for government.
Charles Kennedy
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I want to see far more decisions taken far closer to the patients, the passengers and the pupils. Far more power for locally and regionally elected politicians who understand best the needs of their areas. And far more say too for the dedicated staff at all levels in health and education.
Charles Kennedy
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The government's instinct is to shroud itself in secrecy - to act like the office of a president instead of as a collective cabinet government held to account by the elected House of Commons.
Charles Kennedy
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It is true that I entered parliament at the age of 23, and have now been representing the people of my constituency for over twenty years.
Charles Kennedy
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When it comes to our public services, decentralisation means giving power back to those on the front line - our doctors, nurses, teachers and physiotherapists, and our locally elected officials.
Charles Kennedy
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We believe that government in Britain should be working to restore our reputation on the international stage after Iraq and engage better within Europe.
Charles Kennedy
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Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.
Charles Kennedy
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There stands no contradiction between giving voice to legitimate anxiety and at the same time, as and when exchange of fire commences, looking to the rest of the country, as well as all of us in the House, to give full moral support to our forces.
Charles Kennedy
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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.
Charles Kennedy
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To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.
Charles Kennedy
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Quality of life actually begins at home - it's in your street, around your community.
Charles Kennedy
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Further Education should be about the ability to learn, not the ability to pay - everyone who is able should have the opportunity, regardless of their family background. I don't want to see students struggling with huge debts or frightened off even going to university in the first place.
Charles Kennedy
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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.
Charles Kennedy
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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.
Charles Kennedy
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I'm not someone who dwells upon past events, taking the view that life is too short.
Charles Kennedy
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Fair votes - fundamentally - are about the rights and the interests of the people.
Charles Kennedy
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Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.
Charles Kennedy
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Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.
Charles Kennedy
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I can hardly think of an occasion when I've got into a stand-up fight with any political opponent. I've got my views, people know what they are, they can agree or they can choose to disagree. I'm not going to waste time just rubbishing everybody else.
Charles Kennedy
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I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.
Charles Kennedy
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Valuing public servants would boost morale among those on the front line of implementing government policy.
Charles Kennedy
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If British troops are committed to action, then the nation will, of course, support them. Their courage and skill is not in doubt.
Charles Kennedy
