Befriending provides a valuable lifeline to many people who feel isolated in their communities often as a result of ill health or poverty. I would like to thank all those who volunteer as befrienders and I hope that your numbers will increase in coming years. Your kindness and hard work is, I know, very much appreciated by those you help.

If you were to describe me as teetotal, on behalf of my constituency I'd have to sue; that would lose me every vote in the Highlands.

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

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.

For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.

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

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.