Charles Kennedy

A politician with integrity,intelligence, compassion, intelligence and humour. I admired his stance on the Iraq war and always felt he said what he meant, rather than following some party line or wanting to please. Much liked it seems in parliament. He has a young son and his family will be of course, heart broken.

How terrible. Do they know what happened?

I once wrote to him about my change of heart about Proportional representation- as I felt it would enable the National Front (at the time before UKIP) to get representation. I was truly surprised to get a 3 page reply from him- staing why he felt PR was the only way to go, and the only way to true democracy. I think that letter from the House of Commons got lost in our move- but I was so impressed with his clarity fo thought and the fact he had bothered to reply himself with such a lengthy and interesting answer.

They're just saying he died suddenly granjura, at home. I hadn't realised he was divorced from his wife (2010 apparently).

He seemed such a genuine man, so rare in politics.

Will have to watch the BBC news at 10 (well 11 here)- again, such a shame. I wonder how much he was affected by the Lib-Dem terrible results- as he worked so hard for them and what he believed.

I'm so sorry to hear this. A double tragedy that he died so young, but also that his life was blighted by alcohol.

brenda Charles Kennedy began his political career with the SDP, not the SNP.

Very sad news, he always seemed a lovely man,

I read that he did start with the SNP Jane and Nicola Sturgeon was very gracious about him when I heard her interviewed.

NC may have been gracious (she is an astute politician even if I personally find her irritating)
but :
blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/06/alex-salmonds-reaction-to-the-death-of-charles-kennedy-was-as-revealing-as-it-was-contemptible/

sorry meant NS

Alistair Campbell has written very movingly about Charles Kennedy and "a shared friendship based on a shared enemy - alcohol"....

www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2015/06/02/charles-kennedy-a-lovely-man-a-talented-politician-a-great-friend-with-a-shared-enemy/

Such terrible news, he was a good man whose life was blighted by alcoholism. I'm truly saddened by his death.

I read that he did start with the SNP Jane and Nicola Sturgeon was very gracious about him when I heard her interviewed.

Do you mean you misread or that you read elsewhere kittylister. I did not comment yesterday when I replied to you because I just thought you had made a mistake and indeed, like most other politicians, NS had made a comment.

He joined the SDP while still at High School by the way.

That was a beautiful tribute from Alistair Campbell, thanks for the link Grannyknot

I too am so sad to hear of the death of Charles Kennedy and agree with Tegan that his constituents should be ashamed at having rejected him as their MP this time.
As well as all his other fine qualities he had the guts to speak out against sending troops into Iraq when both the other leaders were in favour. He also had the courage to admit to his alcohol problem and his efforts to overcome it which I think earned him great respect.

Charles Kennedy was one of the few politicians that I liked and had great respect for. So sad that his life has ended far too soon.

MPs are paying tribute to him now on BBC Parliament.

Sorry don't think blaming his constituents is appropriate here. He was probably more upset by the 5 years of coalition with a party he hated and the resulting devastation of the Liberal party he loved in the general election. Personal disappointment might have affected him but probably wasn't his main concern.

Nobody is to blame. He was an alcoholic. Sad that he couldn't conquer his demons but blaming the government?

Agree, Merlotgran.

Not blaming the government but sickened by people being so disloyal to someone who pretty much devoted his life to them. They say he was ok about it happening but imo it broke his heart. Some people are alcoholics because they put so much into their work that it's the only way they can wind down; can't help but feel he was one of those people.

Don't think at any point I "blamed the government" Charles Kennedy made no secret of his dislike of Tory policies and it was this I referred to. The devastating effect of coalition on the Liberal party surely can't be disputed. If you regard this as "blaming the government" merlotgran then so be it but that is your conclusion, not what I said.

His father died in April, he lost his seat after 32 years and saw his party almost demolished , a lot for anyone to deal with

I agree, Anniebach. I'm not sure it's helpful to keep mentioning his alcoholism, either.

I agree Ana, and feel uneasy about the constant references to his alcoholism but it was a factor in him losing the leadership and in his divorce. I don't feel it's possible to pay tribute to CK as so many people are doing,without acknowledging his was dependent on alcohol. So many people's lives and families are devastated by alcoholism and it's rare that someone suffering from this disease is as universally respected and liked as CK has been.