Many people want to scale back their working hours as they near the end of their careers, but not necessarily to give up work altogether. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy
We have a Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, both elected by fairer votes – involving proportional representation. – Charles Kennedy
Three simple words – freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for. – Charles Kennedy
It is my determination that we, as a party, continue to make that fundamental restatement of liberal values in the politics of our country. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy
New Labour needs to realise that family life and the way we raise our children are private matters. – Charles Kennedy
The terrorist seeks to smash the most fundamental liberty of all: the right to lead our everyday lives on the basic assumption of safety. – Charles Kennedy
My approach is always to try to be straight with people, especially about what my party can achieve. – Charles Kennedy
I find no contradiction between being a Highlander, a Scot, a citizen of the U.K. and a citizen of the European Union at one and the same time. – Charles Kennedy
The point never to lose sight of is to be guided by the correct thing, as you see it. It’s the only way to approach such profound matters and retain your integrity. – Charles Kennedy
I believe when the country feels threatened it is important that we are seen to be working together to find an appropriate structure for dealing with terrorists in our midst. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy
The way to defeat international terrorism is through international cooperation based on international law, clear intelligence, and a measured and appropriate military response. – Charles Kennedy
As a Scot, representing a Scottish constituency for almost the past 25 years, I do not harbour an overweening ambition to pronounce on each and every matter exclusively English. – Charles Kennedy
We opposed unlimited detention without trial. We stood up for trial by jury as well. And of course we spoke up for asylum seekers and for the most vulnerable in our society. – Charles Kennedy
During my campaign, people of my age and younger said consistently that they would not vote because their votes simply no longer matter and because no government or member of Parliament cared a whit about their problems and their striving for employment. – Charles Kennedy
Yes, you need substance in politics – but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions. – Charles Kennedy
Quality of life actually begins at home – it’s in your street, around your community. – Charles Kennedy
Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less. – Charles Kennedy
There stands no contradiction between giving voice to legitimate anxiety and at the same time, as and when exchange of fire commences, looking to the rest of the country, as well as all of us in the House, to give full moral support to our forces. – Charles Kennedy
Decentralisation is controversial – but that’s fine. We should be fearless about having a debate. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy
The late Roy Jenkins was both a mentor and a personal friend. He was a man of both phenomenal intellect and political achievement in equal measure. – Charles Kennedy
By common consent, most European countries support the maintenance of robust welfare states and are comfortable with taxation systems that support them. – Charles Kennedy
I know from my own parents how important active older people are to a local community. – Charles Kennedy
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. – Charles Kennedy