My idealism has not abated, but I have witnessed it withering away nationwide, to the point where at least among the young, to have ideals is akin to…

- Charles Kennedy

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 m…

- Charles Kennedy

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

- Charles Kennedy

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

- Charles Kennedy

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

- 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…

- Charles Kennedy

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

- Charles Kennedy

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

- Charles Kennedy

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 assassin…

- Charles Kennedy