Charles Kennedy Quotes
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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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It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities.
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I am genuinely not an over-the-top kind of person about politics or anything else.
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Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.
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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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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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To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.
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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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I believe that access to a university education should be based on the ability to learn, not what people can afford. I think there is no more nauseating a sight than politicians pulling up the ladder of opportunity behind them.
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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 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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Valuing public servants would boost morale among those on the front line of implementing government policy.
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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.
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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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Taking a principled and consistent stance over Iraq has attracted much criticism from our detractors and opponents.
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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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Quality of life actually begins at home - it's in your street, around your community.
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We would all rather see Iraq resolved successfully.
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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.
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People are not stupid.
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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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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.
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We have a Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, both elected by fairer votes - involving proportional representation.
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I'm not someone who dwells upon past events, taking the view that life is too short.