Charles Kennedy Quotes

To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

The quicker we get rid of the lobby system the better for all of us. I don't think in this day and age it is tenable to have these nods and winks, and on-the-record and off-the-record briefings.

Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without. They have contributed hugely to Britain's success.

Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who's a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self taught.

Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.

We should have high expectations of our children, but politicians should not tell teachers how to meet them.

My favourite novel is Frederick Forsythe's Day Of The Jackal, the story about the unproven case of this apparent Englishman who was hired to assassinate De Gaulle….

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.

The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

I don't want a headline saying 'Kennedy suggests this or implies that.'

Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.

If you were to describe me as teetotal, on behalf of my constituency I'd have to sue; that would lose me every vote in the Highlands.

I couldn't imagine a day without music. It relaxes and stimulates me in equal measure and I hate the sound of silence - the concept, I mean, not the track by Simon and Garfunkel.

I'm not someone who dwells upon past events, taking the view that life is too short

I will go out of this world feet first with my Lib Dem membership card in my pocket.

My health is good and it's up to me to keep it that way.

The events of the Holocaust viewed through the eyes of Anne Frank are a unique and damming testament to the dreadful atrocities of that period of our history

There are hard choices to be made in balancing the country's security and an individual's liberties. But it is a choice that has to be faced.

Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.

For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.

You mustn't confuse the need for effective chairmanship, which is part of the job of the boss, along with the ability to take tough decisions and to lead people.

My approach is always to try to be straight with people, especially about what my party can achieve.

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.

Actually, I think it's quite sensible not to take yourself too seriously.

There is no satisfaction to be derived from having had many of our arguments borne out by events.

You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.

I am genuinely not an over-the-top kind of person about politics or anything else.

My idealism has not abated, but I have witnessed it withering away nationwide, to the point where at least among the young, to have ideals is akin to being blinkered and oldfashioned.

I'm a lifelong believer in trade unionism.

I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.

I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!

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.

I'm a fully paid-up member of the human race.

Politics means facing up to hard choices and facing down prejudice, short-termism, the easy, tempting court of knee-jerk public reaction.

It is my determination that we, as a party, continue to make that fundamental restatement of liberal values in the politics of our 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.

If British troops are committed to action, then the nation will, of course, support them. Their courage and skill is not in doubt.

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.

The way to defeat international terrorism is through international cooperation based on international law, clear intelligence, and a measured and appropriate military response.

Gratification and happiness are becoming important measures of our quality of life.

The most special relationships, in my experience, are based on a combination of trust and mutual respect.