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.

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.

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

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

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.

Madness is badness of spirit, when one seeks profit from all sources.

I think one of the sexiest things a couple can share is laughing.

I put in the work to hand Keith Thurman his first loss.

It's healthy to admit you're not ok. 'It's ok not to be ok' it's brave. But don't let it win. Be sad. Have your moment, your day or week. Then do something about it and be happy. For yourself.

The Bible does not say you are God’s appliance; it says you are his masterpiece. Appliances get mass-produced.

The citizen's job is to be rude - to pierce the comfort of professional intercourse by boorish expressions of doubt.

There's an appreciation, not unlike that for dancers or tightrope walkers, of the body undergoing tests and coming through them by courage and technique; a desire for "clean" results.

The attempt to make the consumption of beer criminal is as silly and as futile as if you passed a law to send a man to jail for eating cucumber salad.

Perhaps, perhaps this would be the one to pull me out of my plunge.

The gospel of the kingdom must be preached with evidence; it must be preached as a witness.This can only be done by christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit.