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

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.

You can only build yourself effectively in the area of your calling

Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.

I don't want to do something where I play a kid in a school. And I don't understand these spoof movies.

Princes enjoy themselves like children in the company of ordinary human beings.

Any celebration meal to which guests are invited, be they family or friends, should be an occasion for generous hospitality.

The newspaper fits the reader's program while the listener must fit the broadcaster's program.

She just wished loving him didn’t always have to be so hard.

He that is a friend to himself, know; he is a friend to all.

If you want to do something you have to imagine it. If you don’t imagine it, it will never happen

When I was in college, I had only one ambition that one day I would like to be a director.