You ask the questions: (Such as: so Charles Kennedy, is Hadrian's

CHARLES KENNEDY is leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West in the Scottish Highlands. He was first elected as an SDP MP in 1983, aged only 23, making him the youngest member of the House of Commons. In 1999 he was elected Leader of the Lib Dems.

In your first conference speech as leader you said you were "too old to rock'n'roll, too young to die". Are you a closet Jethro Tull fan?

Martyn P Jackson,

Northumberland

Not even closet, I'm very open about it. I happen to know Ian Anderson personally. He's been a constituent on the Isle of Skye, where he has owned a fish farm since I was first elected in 1983. My favourite Jethro Tull track is "Aqualung".

Hadrian's Wall - great idea? Please discuss.

B Woodhouse

Skipton

When God created the world he gave Scotland beautiful scenery, fresh air and an unspoilt environment. He must have a sense of humour. Look at what he gave us for neighbours.

Is it true you once emptied a bucket of urine over the head of a woman who was protesting over the exclusion of women from the Glasgow University Union when you were a student?

Frank Carr, by e-mail

Absolute rubbish. I've never heard this story before. God knows where it comes from.

Has the arrival of Leo Blair made you broody?

Francesca Abrahams, by e-mail

No, but I'm happy for the Blairs. I met Leo when he was about three days old. He was a lovely looking baby, not that I'm an expert on babies. I just happened to be at Downing Street for a meeting Leo was sound asleep, which perhaps suggests a high degree of political acumen on his part. The baby was not for waking.

When do you think the first non-Labour/Conservative PM will arrive in Downing Street. Will it be you?

John Sherress

Kent

The first one already has and he's called Tony Blair. He always strikes me as being an unusually non-partisan prime minister in terms of his own and other political parties. I think that Tony Blair is less fixated with party ideology and is more concerned with effective administration.

Why are you unmarried?

Nicholas E Gough

Swindon

Wiltshire

Because I've never popped the question, far less had it answered. That's all that I have to say on the issue

Which Labour and Conservative MPs do you admire?

Nicholas E Gough

Swindon

Wiltshire

Labour MP Austin Mitchell because of his genuine, independent, radical backbench spirit. He speaks his mind as well as being a hell of a good personal friend. You name it, he'll speak out on it - Europe, constitutional change, the fishing industry. He'll speak against accountants, lawyers and estate agents and he'll speak up for hairdressers; there's not much he won't speak out on.

The Conservative MP I very much admire is Kenneth Clarke - he's a brilliantly combative minister and was a highly successful chancellor. I agree with his pro-Europeanism and it's impossible to dislike anyone who's a fellow fan of Ronnie Scott. We don't go together, but we have seen each other there.

What is your view on the recent ginger hair debate?

Ms A Pouch, Crawley, Sussex

Ginger hair didn't stop me getting elected as party leader and it didn't stop Sandra Gidley being elected as the new Lib Dem MP for Romsey, so the evidence is encouraging. I was amused by Frank Dobson's comment, but as a Lib Dem, I'm used to the status of being a minority.

Would you take a job from Tony Blair?

S Gohil, London E2

I don't think that that's remotely on the horizon as a prospect. Maybe the question should be: would he take a job from me? I work with Tony Blair on a cross- party basis at the moment, we get on extremely well and if one day we can make common cause on an issue then I'd be happy to work with him.

Is it true that life begins at 40?

Mrs Edith Rimmer, Slough, Berks

It's too soon to say.

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