Farewell to Kennedy

Charles Kennedy has resigned from the Liberal Democratic Party today, following his revelation that he was undergoing treatment for a drink problem.

It is a shame that he had to go, although his position was untenable the moment he admitted the truth of the rumours that he had been so vehemently denying for the past 18 months.

Despite everybody saying that he was a terrible choice for leader folowing Paddy Ashdown' retirement in 1999, being both Scottish & Ginger:-), he led the party to it's greatest ever election result in 2005, stood at the forefront of British politics throughout his time in parliament, and relly did offer an alternative view of politics in many areas.

So now we're in for yet another mainstream party leadership election. I hope this is not the start of tory-style tabloid spin, and that the Lib Dems elect themselves a strong leader who will stay the course.

The moral of the story is to tell the truth when you are first asked. If he had admitted the problem 18 months ago, had treatment & implemented a leadership election then, I reckon he would have stormed home with a sympathy vote.

FWIW, My money is on Simon Hughes, unless Lembit Opik stands, which would make it interesting.