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.

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.

be the kiss in my hairthat no one seesmove, when i movesigh, when i sigh...be that line from a poemthat i hold in my eyes.

I can’t get past one or two pages at a time.’ ‘That’s how it’s supposed to be read. Sipped like a soothing cup of tea.

The "question" is the smallest and greatest unit of discovery.

I demolish my bridges behind me ... then there is no choice but forward.

If you want to make order, put your own heart in order, and, having put one's heart in order, one can regulate the family order.

Imagination flourishes best in solitude.

There's a solution to every problem. I just have to find the right solution to fix this problem

I am impelled, not to squeak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion out of pride in my profession.

There is no set period of time or total amount of carbon emissions that we can stay below to ensure we stay safe.

The tendency of mans nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downward.