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 being blinkered and oldfashioned.

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.

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

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

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

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

I don't want a headline saying 'Kennedy suggests this or implies that.'