Charles Kennedy Quotes

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

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.

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.

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

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'm a lifelong believer in trade unionism.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

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

We Liberal Democrats believe in dialogue. We believe in cooperation with both sides of industry and between both sides of industry. And we believe in the language of cooperation. We reject the language of confrontation.

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

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

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