Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together.

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.

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

Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.

Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who's a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self taught.

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

My favourite novel is Frederick Forsythe's Day Of The Jackal, the story about the unproven case of this apparent Englishman who was hired to assassinate De Gaulle….

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.

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

Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.

The most introspective of souls are often those that have been hurt the most.

May you have a joyful and grateful spirit.

A friend is someone who can rebuke you when you are wrong and still protects you from your enemies

Do not hate your neighbour in your heart.

I resolve to do my very best in everything.

Life could not change the sun or water the desert, so it changed itself.

If you want to assert a truth, first make sure it's not just an opinion that you desperately want to be true.

I always like to know everything about my new friends, and nothing about my old ones.

The GNU GPL was not designed to be "open source".

I am not really breaking any rules. Charlie said I could never take another step through the door again... I came in through the window... Still, the intent was clear," said Edward.