Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader, dies aged 55

[LeftishBrit]

Former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home in Fort William aged 55.

His family said they were devastated to lose a "fine man and loving father". No cause of death has been given but police said it was not suspicious...

Charles Kennedy was one of the most influential politicians of his generation. In 2005 he led the Liberal Democrats to their best election result, carved out a distinctive position for his party on the left of British politics and, perhaps most significantly, ensured his party was at the forefront of opposition to the Iraq War.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337

[shenmue]

1. Rest in peace

[T_i_B]

2. Awful news.

Charles Kennedy was an excellent leader of the Lib Dems. Under Kennedy they had some very good policies and were a party you could happily support.

Just a shame that after the 2005 election the Lib Dems threw it all away, starting with removing Kennedy as leader. The way that British politics is going we may never see another party leader as good as Charles Kennedy again.

[Wabbajack_]

3. RIP

Would have been no deal with the tories if he had remained leader.

[non sociopath skin]

4. I was genuinely saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Kennedy.

Though I did not subscribe to all of his political beliefs, I always found him to be a sincere and committed radical in the celtic tradition and one of those most blessed of men, a politician with a sense both of proportion and of humour.

I will miss him. May he sleep well.

The Skin

[Gumboot]

5. A cryin' shame to wake up to this news today.

Too good, and too young, to be gone so soon.

He was the best leader the LibDems ever had.

[mwooldri]

6. A true Liberal Democrat. May he be at peace.

He had a fair bit to contend with in the last couple of years... in any case, may he be at peace.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Steve Bell: