I want our party to step up its efforts to reflect and champion the concerns of everybody who has reached the second half of their lives.

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

When I started knocking on Highland doors in May 1983, two things struck me more than any other. First was the sheer depth of hostility towards the Tories in general. Second was the particular hostility towards Margaret Thatcher and her local ministerial spear-carrier, energy minister and incumbent MP of 13 years' standing, Hamish Gray.

I did not dwell on the issue of Europe during either the 2001 or the 2005 campaigns - despite it being a pivotal personal concern and despite seeing it as something of a litmus test for liberal democracy.

If British troops are committed to action, then the nation will, of course, support them. Their courage and skill is not in doubt.

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

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

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

I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.

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

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

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

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.

We have a Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, both elected by fairer votes - involving proportional representation.

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.