Charles Kennedy RIP

One of the good guys. Very sad news. When he was last on Question Time on the BBC earlier this year he didn't at all look well. He must have a young son aged around 11. Far too young to die. RIP.
 
How very sad. I always thought he seemed like a very nice man and his good humour in defeat a few weeks ago was an example.

I hope he has outrun his demons now.

RIP Charles
 
really shocked and saddened to hear Charlie Kennedy had passed away this morning - seemed like a good and genuine guy - RIP
 
A guy from the era when the Lib Dem's used to stand for something. Always came across as an extremely likeable guy.

Live Forever Charlie.
 
Sad news. Only 55. He always came across as a very likeable and charming man. Certainly one of the most talented politicians of his generation and well respected by all across the political spectrum. Wherever he is now, i hope he`s finally found some peace.
Thoughts are with his family and particularly his young son at this time.

R.I.P. Charlie.
 
It's telling that while I was punching the air as the SNP took the seats of Douglas Alexander, Danny Alexander, Margaret Curran, Jim Murphy and so on, I felt no sense of triumph or revenge as Charlie Kennedy was ousted. Probably because he was never a "party automaton", but rather an engaging and visibly human guy. A sad loss.
 
Youngest Social Democrats MP.

Led them into the negotiations with the Liberals, changing his mind half way through (how many politicians do that for the greater good?)

Led the party to its greatest even electoral achievement.

Against the Iraq war.

Against the coalition which he said would cause untold damage to his party.

RIP.
 
SNP MP Ian Blackford, who defeated Mr Kennedy on May 7, said: I am shocked and saddened at the news of Charles Kennedys death. He was a bright, articulate and gregarious man and it is so sad that he has been taken at such a young age. My thoughts are with his family and all who knew and loved him.

Charles was a very kind, decent and honest man. I have known him for a long time, and I will remember him as someone that could rise above party politics.
I recall election night in 1999 - not a good night for the SNP, but Charles showed tremendous kindness and support that evening. I will never forget that.
On the doorstep in the constituency there was undoubtedly a lot of warmth expressed toward him - and he had helped a lot of people during his time as an MP. His humanity and kind nature endeared him to so many.
Charlie Kennedy set a fine example of how a member of parliament should serve their constituents and make their political arguments and that is something all of us in public life should all learn from and aspire to.
 
He really was a man of the people and appeared to be much loved.

RIP
 
While the man didn't always vote in ways I would have liked (particularly while the Lib Dems were in bed with the Tories over recent years) I certainly had more time for him than a great many politicians.
 
Pity Alex Salmond couldn't help himself in his words. Thankfully we now have a First Minister who conducts herself in a way that does credit to the position.

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While the man didn't always vote in ways I would have liked (particularly while the Lib Dems were in bed with the Tories over recent years) I certainly had more time for him than a great many politicians.

He didn't always vote how his party did. He voted against the Bedroom Tax for example.
 
Pity Alex Salmond couldn't help himself in his words. Thankfully we now have a First Minister who conducts herself in a way that does credit to the position.

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He didn't always vote how his party did. He voted against the Bedroom Tax for example.

He did indeed vote against a number of policies during the Coalition. The Bedroom Tax being a prime example.

What did the former First Minister say? Didn't see him on any of the tellybox bulletins?
 
He did indeed vote against a number of policies during the Coalition. The Bedroom Tax being a prime example.

What did the former First Minister say? Didn't see him on any of the tellybox bulletins?

"Yes, he was an extremely generous human being. I have had one or two, but not many, people who had a bad word to say about Charles, and thats very rare in politics. In terms of the independence referendum, I dont think his heart was in the Better Together campaign.

His heart would have been in a pro-European campaign, thats a campaign that Charles would have engaged in heart and soul. That is something he absolutely believed in.
 
"Yes, he was an extremely generous human being. I have had one or two, but not many, people who had a bad word to say about Charles, and thats very rare in politics. In terms of the independence referendum, I dont think his heart was in the Better Together campaign.His heart would have been in a pro-European campaign, thats a campaign that Charles would have engaged in heart and soul. That is something he absolutely believed in.
I'll delete my post here actually. Better that the thread remains a tribute to Mr Kennedy rather than a points scoring exercise along political lines. Fitting that he transcended them so well himself.
 
I think it might help if you can point out here what is so disrespectful.

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http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/7491070. Anyone of a mind too should read this article, past the headline and possible bias they may have and draw their own conclusions.

He is inferring that Charles Kennedy wasn't really pro No. Charles Kennedy is on record as stating he disapproved of the Better Together campaign (as did many other No voters and politicians) however he was one who absolutely believed Scotland should vote No and remain in the UK. Salmond is absolutely trying to infer something else.
 
Terrible shame. Nice words from Ian Blackford on the radio this morning. I feel a bit sick hearing David Cameron praising his talents when the Tories used to mock his drink problem every time he stood up to speak in the commons.


Sent by telepathy.
 
While the man didn't always vote in ways I would have liked (particularly while the Lib Dems were in bed with the Tories over recent years) I certainly had more time for him than a great many politicians.
He was strongly against the co-alition and warned of the long term damage it would do to the party. He was right.
 
He is inferring that Charles Kennedy wasn't really pro No. Charles Kennedy is on record as stating he disapproved of the Better Together campaign (as did many other No voters and politicians) however he was one who absolutely believed Scotland should vote No and remain in the UK. Salmond is absolutely trying to infer something else.

Any luck with that clip yet Kenny? I've asked Alex Massie too.Appreciate you both might be too busy, but whenever you get a chance, it would be good to produce the proof instead of relying on inference,gossip and second hand info, or are you now 'doing a Carmichael'?
 
"Yes, he was an extremely generous human being. I have had one or two, but not many, people who had a bad word to say about Charles, and thats very rare in politics. In terms of the independence referendum, I dont think his heart was in the Better Together campaign.

His heart would have been in a pro-European campaign, thats a campaign that Charles would have engaged in heart and soul. That is something he absolutely believed in.

Firstly, his death is profoundly sad at a relatively young age and with a young son. Aside from Charles the politician he meant a lot to many people.

As regards what Alex said, well. It doesn't really matter what he says now, its going to get jumped on. I don't see anything in what he says that contradicts the truth that Kennedy was a committed federalist first and unionist second. The in/out referendum would have engaged him, and as far as I could tell the indyref didn't. It's sad that he's not going to be around for that, he would have been worth listening to. RIP
 
Any luck with that clip yet Kenny? I've asked Alex Massie too.Appreciate you both might be too busy, but whenever you get a chance, it would be good to produce the proof instead of relying on inference,gossip and second hand info, or are you now 'doing a Carmichael'?

I intend catching up via the iPlayer once I get a chance.
 
Any luck with that clip yet Kenny? I've asked Alex Massie too.Appreciate you both might be too busy, but whenever you get a chance, it would be good to produce the proof instead of relying on inference,gossip and second hand info, or are you now 'doing a Carmichael'?

Just finished listening to Nicky Campbell on the IPlayer from 0600 yesterday morning and finally at 0940 I get to the Alex Salmond interview.

BBC Radio 5 live - 5 live Breakfast, Your Call, 02/06/2015

At 41:40 and I heard no words spoken with regards to what has been quoted. Indeed no question was asked or answer given with regards to Charles Kennedy and the referendum or 'Better Together' etc etc.

I await to hear back from Alex Massie too...
 
Just finished listening to Nicky Campbell on the IPlayer from 0600 yesterday morning and finally at 0940 I get to the Alex Salmond interview.

BBC Radio 5 live - 5 live Breakfast, Your Call, 02/06/2015

At 41:40 and I heard no words spoken with regards to what has been quoted. Indeed no question was asked or answer given with regards to Charles Kennedy and the referendum or 'Better Together' etc etc.

I await to hear back from Alex Massie too...

That's almost disappointing tbh. I was hoping my pedantry would result in you finding the quote. I like Massie, hope he's not acting ****.