Quotes from Charles Kennedy

Whatever the eventual judgment, the political implications of Hutton are already clear. A devastating indictment of Labour in power - and of our political system itself.

It must be a judge - never a politician - who decides whether someone is to be locked up.

People have a huge desire to be listened to, for politicians to take the time to understand their problems.

Labour politicians for generations have fought to bring democracy to the House of Lords.

Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.

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.

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.

As someone who has led his party through two general elections, I have not always been immune from feeling the pressure of electioneering tactics.

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.

By common consent, most European countries support the maintenance of robust welfare states and are comfortable with taxation systems that support them.

The government's instinct is to shroud itself in secrecy - to act like the office of a president instead of as a collective cabinet government held to account by the elected House of Commons.

There is no satisfaction to be derived from having had many of our arguments borne out by events.

We all accept the world would be safer without Saddam's baleful dictatorship.

Speaking to numerous teachers and nurses, I am consistently struck by the sense of mission they have about their work.

When it comes to our public services, decentralisation means giving power back to those on the front line - our doctors, nurses, teachers and physiotherapists, and our locally elected officials.

Westminster is a jungle - and the hunter can always smell fear on its prey.

Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.

The House of Lords has many fine aspects, but at its heart, it is a betrayal of the core democratic principle that those in the enlightened world hold so dear - that those who make the laws of the land should be elected by those who must obey those laws.

Of all the principles which constitute Liberal Democracy, internationalism is the clearest, the most distinctive, and the one with the longest history.

Those who use our public services should be able to deal directly with those who manage and deliver them.

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.

Professionally I would say taking up my constituents' problems is something I continue to enjoy after 22 years as an MP.

I happen to consider myself a Highlander even before a Scot; I am proud to be British yet feel comfortable as a European citizen.

Decentralisation is controversial - but that's fine. We should be fearless about having a debate.