Charles Kennedy. He took the party through two successful general elections.
However, he faced criticism for his laid-back leadership style, and there was considerable speculation regarding his alcohol consumption. From December 2005, some within the party were questioning his leadership and calling for a leadership election. On 5 January 2006, Kennedy was informed that ITN would be reporting that he had received treatment for a drinking problem. Kennedy decided to pre-empt the broadcast and admit his drinking problem openly.
He called a leadership election at the same time, stating that he intended to stand. Early life[edit] Rt Hon Mr Charles Kennedy. The Charles Kennedy story. When they elected Charles Kennedy as their leader in 1999, the Liberal Democrats knew they had chosen a "bon viveur" over rivals with more gravitas but less charisma.
Mr Kennedy was a genial, witty figure more than capable of holding his own on television panel games such as Have I Got News for You. He was described in profiles as "lightweight" and "a charmer", whose laid-back approach contrasted with more earnest, policy-heavy rivals such as Simon Hughes and Malcolm Bruce. He was also known to be fond of a drink - he described himself during the leadership contest as an "up front social drinker" - and his claim to be trying to give up smoking was already becoming a familiar refrain. Rivals accused him of laziness - one dubbed him "inaction man" compared to his ex-marine predecessor Paddy Ashdown.
It was even suggested in 1994 that he failed to take politics seriously when he won £2,000 from a £50 flutter betting that the Lib Dems would take only two seats in the European elections. Charles Kennedy - Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP - Home Page. Charles Kennedy (charles_kennedy) Charles Kennedy MP writes… Charles Kennedy and Malcolm Bruce today celebrate 30 years as MPs for their constituencies.
They have both issued messages to mark the occasion. Here is Charles’. This coming Sunday will mark thirty years of serving Ross, Cromarty and Skye; Ross, Skye & Inverness West and currently, Ross, Skye & Lochaber. Through the many boundary and name changes it’s a continued privilege to serve the largest and arguably one of most beautiful constituencies in the country. The last three decades have brought have a wealth of issues to the constituency table; from the building of the Skye Bridge, ensuring the continuation of strong transport links for the Highlands and helping save vital local services, to promoting the economy and beauty of the Highlands.
Charles Kennedy MP – MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber. Charles Kennedy. Charles Kennedy is the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats who, at the 2005 General Election achieved the best result the party and its predecessors had enjoyed since 1923, winning 62 seats.
Charles has been an MP in the Highlands since 1983 and was leader of the Liberal Democrats from August 1999 until January 2006. Born in Inverness in 1959, he was brought up and educated in Fort William, attending Lochaber High School and then Glasgow University, where he was elected President of Glasgow University Union and won the British Observer Mace Debating Tournament in 1982.
Following his graduation that year, Charles worked as a journalist and broadcaster with BBC Highland in Inverness. He was then awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend Indiana University in the United States. In 1983 he was working towards a PhD at Indiana when the opportunity arose to seek the Social Democratic Party (SDP) nomination for Ross, Cromarty and Skye.
Charles Kennedy: Electoral history and profile. Candidate's full explanation 1.
"Many people think taxes will have to rise in the next parliament to cut Britain's budget deficit. If they do, any increases should disproportionately be paid by higher earners. " Stronglyagree Agree. Charles Kennedy - latest news, breaking stories and comment. Your representatives. Land and Property: Single bedroomed flat in London, from which a rental income is derived.
Overseas visits: 31 January-2 February 2009, to Paris as a participate in the "Your Future in Europe" 2009 conference. Return Eurostar tickets and two nights' hotel accommodation for myself, wife and child, provided by European Study Tours. (Registered 3 February 2009) Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK): A dinner was hosted by Dr Kartar Lalvani on 9 June 2008 in honour of my 25 years as an MP.
(Registered 3 December 2008) Mr Charles Kennedy (Hansard) WPR - Charles Kennedy MP. Charles Kennedy MP, Ross, Skye and Lochaber. Voting Summary More Here How Charles Kennedy voted since 2001 Randomly generated selection of topics.
See full list. Voting Record — Charles Kennedy MP, Ross, Skye and Lochaber (10334) — The Public Whip. The Rector. Return to List of Officers of the University The University of Glasgow is one of five Scottish universities which elects a Rector.
Since the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858, the Rector has been elected by the matriculated students of the University and not only represents them but is also, ex-officio, the Chairman of the University Court, the body which administers the resources of the University. Can a drunk run the country? After I joined the staff of the Spectator magazine 30 years ago, I was taken to the House of Commons as part of my political apprenticeship.
We watched a debate from the press gallery and pottered through the lobbies of the cavernous building before repairing at around 9 p.m. to one of the dozen or more bars found in the Palace of Westminster. There we fell in with a Tory MP, the original vaudeville drunk, glassy eyes, slurred speech, teetering on his bar stool. I bought him one or two more and then I helpfully asked if I could find him a cab home. He looked at me with puzzlement. "Wha'you mean, go home?
How drink destroyed Charles Kennedy, by Menzies Campbell. By MENZIES CAMPBELL Last updated at 13:03 24 February 2008 {1}I have a strong aversion to whisky.
I cannot drink it. I don't like the smell of it. If someone gives me a bottle as a present it remains unopened. My sister Fiona feels the same. However, one benefit I derived from his drinking was a greater understanding of why people did it, and this sympathy was to stand me in good stead later in life. In October 2001, Charles Kennedy and I were due to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in London. First, I was asked to join Charles in his office.
We sat outside Charles's flat waiting for him. On the way, Charles opened the Lilt and raised it to his lips, but he was shaking so much he had to use both hands to hold it steady. When we arrived at the hotel Arafat was running late. Eventually, Charles came back and we were ushered into a suite where Arafat and his entourage awaited us. When we returned to the Commons I went to see Andrew Stunell, the Chief Whip, to complain. I rang her.