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.

My favourite novel is Frederick Forsythe's Day Of The Jackal, the story about the unproven case of this apparent Englishman who was hired to assassinate De Gaulle….

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

Further Education should be about the ability to learn, not the ability to pay - everyone who is able should have the opportunity, regardless of their family background. I don't want to see students struggling with huge debts or frightened off even going to university in the first place.

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

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

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