From opposing the decision to invade Iraq in 2003 to praising a former Lib Dem leader as a "trained killer", Charles Kennedy was a politician with the gift of the gab.

1. On opposing the Iraq war - March 2003:

"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."

2. Dismissing rumours he would join the Labour party after the Liberal Democrats entered coalition with the Conservatives in 2010:

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

3. On taking over as Liberal Democrat leader - 1999:

"From now on it's downhill all the way."

4. On politics:

"Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable."

5. On leading a party - May 2001:

"To run an effective political party you need a degree of tribalism, it's the glue that holds everyone together."

6. Reflecting on Paddy Ashdown's leadership of the Liberal Democrats - 1998:

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

7. On political opponents - April 2005:

"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."

8. On immigration - April 2005

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

9. On the role of Government - April 2005

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

Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 1986 Charles Kennedy at the SDP conference in September 1986. He had become Britain's youngest MP three years earlier and the party later merged to become the Liberal Democrats. Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 1987 Charles Kennedy attends the Joint Liberal Assembly, October 1987. Getty Images/Hulton Archive Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 1999 Charles Kennedy being congratulated by his girlfriend and future wife, Sarah Gurling, and mother Mary after being elected Lib Dem leader in 1999 PA Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2001 Charles Kennedy greeting supporters at a rally before the 2001 general election, when he was the Lib Dem leader Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2002 Mr Kennedy at his wedding to Sarah Gurling, outside the House of Commons in London. The couple divorced in 2010. Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2003 Charles Kennedy speaks during a question and answer session at the Liberal Democrat Party annual conference in Brighton Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2004 Charles Kennedy and his then wife arrive at the British Academy Television Awards in London Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2005 Charles Kennedy unveiling a Lib Dem campaign poster ahead of the 2005 general election Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2005 Charles Kennedy with his then wife Sarah and new born son Donald James on 12 April 2005. He returned to the election campaign trail days later Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2005 Charles Kennedy celebrating the Lib Dems' gains after the 2005 general election, when the party won 62 seats Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2006 Charles Kennedy admitted his drink problem and called a leadership election in January 2006 Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2006 Charles Kennedy is canvassing in Dunfermline for a by-election a month after his resignation as Lib Dem leader Getty Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2006 Sir Menzies Campbell, Lord Rennard and Simon Hughes give Charles Kennedy a standing ovation after his speech to the party conference in September 2006, his first since his resignation Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2007 Charles Kennedy and his predecessor Paddy Ashdown congratulating Nick Clegg on his election as Lib Dem leader in December 2007 AFP/Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2010 Charles Kennedy with Nick Clegg on the campaign trail ahead of the 2010 general election Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2011 Charles Kennedy launching the pro-AV campaign for the 2011 proportional representation referendum in Glasgow Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2014 Charles Kennedy with Danny Alexander and fellow Lib Dems campaigning for a 'no' vote in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 AFP/Getty Images Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 2015 Charles Kennedy campaigning with Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire in April ahead of the 2015 general election, where he lost his seat Getty Images

10. On rejecting the language of confrontation - Speech to the TUC Conference, September 2002:

"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."

11. On early rumours he had an alcohol problem - January 2001:

"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."

12. On education - April 2005: