Quotes from Charles Kennedy

My health is good and it's up to me to keep it that way.

The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

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.

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.

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

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

This country has a proud history of opening its doors to generations of people fleeing personal persecution, civil unrest and war.

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

I know from my own parents how important active older people are to a local community.

'Federalism', in the context of political and media usage in Britain, has come to mean the creation and imposition of a European superstate, one centralised in Brussels.

Quality of life actually begins at home - it's in your street, around your community.

In my view, nations together are stronger than when they are isolated. And because they are stronger, their people are more free, not less.

We Liberal Democrats don't believe we should use the tax structure to champion just one type of family.

It's our job as Liberal Democrats to be an effective opposition - and an increasingly tough one as well.

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

People are not stupid.

I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.

We want a strong, vibrant economy for Britain so that we can set out a clear and affordable alternative programme for government.

I don't actually subscribe to the view that all power corrupts. But absolute power - when secured on the back of massive parliamentary majorities, which don't reflect the balance of political opinion in the country - can corrupt absolutely.

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.