Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedywas a British Liberal Democrat politician, who was Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006 and a Member of Parliamentfrom 1983 to 2015, latterly for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth25 November 1959
common countries european robust states systems
By common consent, most European countries support the maintenance of robust welfare states and are comfortable with taxation systems that support them.
decisions divisive good however involves leadership people
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.
Decentralisation is controversial - but that's fine. We should be fearless about having a debate.
local older people
I know from my own parents how important active older people are to a local community.
campus debts deepening earth escape listened steadily students worried
I listened to the students on campus in Plymouth, worried about their steadily deepening debts and how on earth they would ever escape them.
elsewhere faced lack move people perennial scottish talented time
A perennial problem that has faced the Scottish Highlands is that, time and again, too many of the more talented young people have had to move elsewhere - even abroad - through a lack of opportunities that should have been available.
tabloid
Be careful. We don't want a tabloid headline.
cast education investment liberal vote
If you want more investment in education and pensions, cast a vote for the Liberal Democrats.
nations people
In my view, nations together are stronger than when they are isolated. And because they are stronger, their people are more free, not less.
country government rediscover revisit
In my view, as a country we need to rediscover some of that skepticism about government and revisit that libertarian agenda.
islands life local member parliament privilege public
It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities.
asylum course opposed seekers society spoke stood trial unlimited vulnerable
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.
alienation people power rigidity subject
When power is exercised exclusively at the centre, the result is rigidity of rules and alienation of the people subject to those rules.
public
Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.