Effective Opposition Quotes

There was a big difference between Ron Paul and me when it came to the 'no.' His 'no' was philosophical. It was reasoned. It was right. My 'no' actually put a stop to legislation. It cut spending. Mine carried further than just no.

The leader of genius must have the ability to make different opponents appear as if they belonged to one category.

No government can long be secure without a formidable Opposition.

Only the Liberal Democrats have probed the government's failings consistently, thoroughly and effectively.

I don't think one moment that we should sink to the levels of the Brexiters - the dodgy money, the electoral lawbreaking and the lying - but I do wonder if those of us who remain deeply concerned about the consequences of Brexit are really landing all the blows that we can.

There are more than enough to fight and oppose; why waste good time fighting the people you like?

But in the intellectual world, there is room for all opposing forces: even that which never appears victorious in the real world continues to be effective as a dynamic force (in the intellectual world) and precisely the unfulfilled ideals prove to be the most invincible.

No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition. It reduces their supporters to that tractable number which can be managed by the joint influences of fruition and hope. It offers vengeance to the discontented, and distinction to the ambitious; and employs the energies of aspiring spirits, who otherwise may prove traitors in a division or assassins in a debate.

One thing I have learned in my time in politics is that if one of the parties is shameless, the other party cannot afford to be spineless.

It's our job as Liberal Democrats to be an effective opposition - and an increasingly tough one as well.

It's not enough to be against something.

Satan hasn't a single salaried helper; the Opposition employs a million.