Charles Kennedy quotes

Charles Kennedy was a British politician, best known for leading the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006. His leadership focused on progressive policies and strong opposition to the Iraq War. He became widely respected for his independent views and approachable style. Here are 38 of his quotes:

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

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

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

Charles Kennedy

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

Charles Kennedy

I will go out of this world feet first with my Lib Dem membership card in my pocket.

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. And that requires something else as well - being wise enough to know when it's time to listen.

Charles Kennedy

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

Charles Kennedy

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

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 can agree or they can choose to disagree. I'm not going to waste time just rubbishing everybody else.

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 message across.

Charles Kennedy

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.

Charles Kennedy

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

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

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

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

Charles Kennedy

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

Charles Kennedy

We Liberal Democrats believe in dialogue. We believe in cooperation with both sides of industry and between both sides of industry. And we believe in the language of cooperation. We reject the language of confrontation.

Charles Kennedy

There is no satisfaction to be derived from having had many of our arguments borne out by events.

Charles Kennedy

It is true that I entered parliament at the age of 23, and have now been representing the people of my constituency for over twenty years.

Charles Kennedy

You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.

Charles Kennedy