Charles Kennedy Quotes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.
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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.
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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.
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I'm not someone who dwells upon past events, taking the view that life is too short.
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I have always considered myself of the reforming centre-left.
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We would all rather see Iraq resolved successfully.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.
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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.
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Valuing public servants would boost morale among those on the front line of implementing government policy.
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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.
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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.
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People are not stupid.
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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.
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I'm a fully paid-up member of the human race.
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Fair votes - fundamentally - are about the rights and the interests of the people.