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.

We Liberal Democrats believe in dialogue. We believe in cooperation with both sides of industry and between both sides of industry. And we believe in the language of cooperation. We reject the language of confrontation.

I have never once been persuaded as to the causal link between the Iraqi regime, al-Qaeda and September 11. I do believe the impact of war under these circumstances is bound to weaken the international coalition against terrorism itself.

Politicians are good at saying how Government must do more, but we must also think carefully about where Government should do less.

I'm a fully paid-up member of the human race.

The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected.

Immigrants provide skills that we simply cannot afford to do without. They have contributed hugely to Britain's success.