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
fighting thinking views
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.
thinking style needs
Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.
thinking age records
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.
thinking house kind
I do think there is a great deal of caricature around the House of Commons. It is just that kind of place.
thinking leader former
I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!
believe opportunity thinking
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.
thinking sensible
Actually, I think it's quite sensible not to take yourself too seriously.
thinking government politician
Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.
clear families government owe parliament people position quite reassure safe strategy terms thinking
I think we owe it really to those forces, and to their families back home, to make quite clear what the position is and to reassure people by making quite clear that the government and parliament are thinking in terms of a safe homeward strategy for the forces.
depth hostility incumbent knocking local margaret minister particular second sheer struck tories towards
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.
aftermath coalition fragment remarkable strike unilateral
It would be a tragedy if the remarkable international coalition against terrorism, successfully marshalled in the aftermath of 11 September, were to fragment over a unilateral U.S. strike against Baghdad.
context european imposition mean
'Federalism', in the context of political and media usage in Britain, has come to mean the creation and imposition of a European superstate, one centralised in Brussels.
public
Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.
continue
Professionally I would say taking up my constituents' problems is something I continue to enjoy after 22 years as an MP.