Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.
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.
Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without. They have contributed hugely to Britain's success.
Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.
To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.
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.
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.
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.
I'm a fully paid-up member of the human race.
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 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.
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.
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.
The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.
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 have never once been persuaded as to the causal link between the Iraqi regime, al-Qaeda and September 11. I do believe the impact of war under these circumstances is bound to weaken the international coalition against terrorism itself.
I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!
For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.
I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.
I'm a lifelong believer in trade unionism.
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 am genuinely not an over-the-top kind of person about politics or anything else.
You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.
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.
