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

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

I couldn't imagine a day without music. It relaxes and stimulates me in equal measure and I hate the sound of silence - the concept, I mean, not the track by Simon and Garfunkel.

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

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

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.

Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.