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.

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

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 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.

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

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.