Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.

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

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.

Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who's a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self taught.

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.

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

My approach is always to try to be straight with people, especially about what my party can achieve.