Here, is a selection of the things he has said.

"I'm simply saying that at this present time we don't have �170m to introduce free school meals.

"What we do want to do, though, is a series of more targeted measures that will achieve a lot of the outcomes that Finland has achieved.

"There is no doubting the fact that Scotland remains the unhealthy person of Europe and also the unhealthy young person of Europe and we need to do more."

"Many young people are turned off by politics and feel alienated from society.

"Education for citizenship helps children to learn about political, economic, social and cultural issues. It focuses on the '3 Rs' - rights, responsibilities and respect."

"This is a historic day for everyone on Skye.

"We made a commitment last year to end the tolls on Skye Bridge. Today that promise has been delivered. The abolition of tolls sweeps away a source of deep division and genuine injustice.

"Today we are sweeping away one of the last vestiges of the Conservative era, this first PFI contract that sought to put so much of the cost on to the local people of Skye and Lochalsh."

"Jim Wallace has been an outstanding leader.

"He is standing down at the peak of his success.

"Perhaps his greatest achievement has been his impact on shaping the new Scottish Parliament.

"He provided steady leadership to the whole of Scotland, more than once during its early turbulent years, which rightly won him great respect from all the parties and from individuals across the country."

"We are well placed for the future. We have got great credibility now in terms of the whole of Scotland.

"We are reaching out to new parts of Scotland. I believe that credibility built by Jim Wallace and my colleagues gives us not just a foundation but a springboard and launch pad to greater success in the future."

"I want us to be seen as pro-education, pro-the economy, pro-business, pro-the environment," he explained.

"I want our ideas to be radical, responsible and reforming.

"Most of all we need to see a positive campaign promoting our policies, not pillorying the personalities of opponents.

"All of us need to be motivated, energised and committed."

"It is clear to me that our Liberal Democrat approach on personal liberty, the environment, international matters and education strike a chord with young people.

"That's why at the Edinburgh University Freshers' two weeks ago there was standing room only for a Liberal Democrat meeting in the very room David Steel started his political career. "

"All our strategy, all our ambition, all our campaigning between now and next May must be for the Liberal Democrats to be, for the first time in our history, the largest party in the Scottish Parliament."

"Jack McConnell was prepared to put aside narrow party dogma to seek and build consensus on a positive way forward for Scotland."

"This is a serious situation for the first minister and his government.

"Every step of the way there is contradiction, concealment and cleverness from his government on this issue. It smells of sleaze."