Quotes from Charles Kennedy

There is always a temptation for governments: see a problem and announce a quick fix.

We need a liberal agenda in which government resists the temptation to interfere in the lives of individuals but is equally determined to play an active role where creative action can advance the liberties of all.

Politics means facing up to hard choices and facing down prejudice, short-termism, the easy, tempting court of knee-jerk public reaction.

Terror can never be defeated by force alone.

The way to defeat international terrorism is through international cooperation based on international law, clear intelligence, and a measured and appropriate military response.

We believe that government in Britain is there to protect people from terrorism and from the worst criminality, but never at the expense of our civil liberties and the basic tenets of our legal system.

The terrorist seeks to smash the most fundamental liberty of all: the right to lead our everyday lives on the basic assumption of safety.

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

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

To be seen to be human, provided you're doing your job at the same time, is definitely not a negative, not at all.

It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities.

Valuing public servants would boost morale among those on the front line of implementing government policy.

It is the government's fundamental duty to ensure the security of every individual citizen.

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

As I spread my wings in politics, I discovered many Thatcher voters down south who were the same kind of people who loathed her in Scotland. They were puzzled by the Scots' antipathy, given the Falklands war and the strong militaristic history of the Highlands and elsewhere.

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

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.

When human rights are systematically abused, it raises the question whether it may be legitimate in some circumstances for the international community to intervene within individual states as well as in conflicts between states.

We need less theoretical debate and more practical application and acknowledgment of what Europe can and does do so that it is brought home to people in a relevant way.

Only the Liberal Democrats have probed the government's failings consistently, thoroughly and effectively.

New Labour needs to realise that family life and the way we raise our children are private matters.

The growing influence of focus groups means we are all in danger of being excessively cowed by their feedback.

Terrorism gravely threatens international peace and security, and as a solution, the power and apparent finality of force are seductive.

Gratification and happiness are becoming important measures of our quality of life.