RIP Charles Kennedy

[Beef Oven!]

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

[Serial_Apologist]

Imo he really belonged to the period 1945-1975 when we were assured capitalism offered a sustainable peaceful future, politics seemed more consensual, and interviewers had time for answers to their questions, regardless.

[Tevot]

Imo he really belonged to the period 1945-1975 when we were assured capitalism offered a sustainable peaceful future, politics seemed more consensual, and interviewers had time for answers to their questions, regardless.

Fully agree here SA. What shocking, saddening news...

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Imo he really belonged to the period 1945-1975 when we were assured capitalism offered a sustainable peaceful future, politics seemed more consensual, and interviewers had time for answers to their questions, regardless.

I was born in 1946. I obviously spent my first thirty years asleep then. Who was this "we"? The Vietnamese?

Enormous amount of cant and piety in the air (and airwaves) this morning. Plus cha small change.

Interviewers? I still miss the bow ties and the curtsey.

BN.

[Serial_Apologist]

I was born in 1946. I obviously spent my first thirty years asleep then. Who was this "we"? The Vietnamese?

Enormous amount of cant and piety in the air (and airwaves) this morning. Plus cha small change.

Interviewers? I still miss the bow ties and the curtsey.

BN.

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemed !

[Stanfordian]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-32970337

RIP Charles. I hope you are now at peace from your demons. I have worked for twenty years in the field of alcohol addiction and it was shame to see a talented political brain gradually going downhill and gradually getting worse. Over the years it was awful seeing Charles in TV interviews and appearing on Question Time when he looked under the influence of drink. I’m not sure that being able to function in spite of his alcohol problems was actually helpful to any possible recovery. He hadn’t lost his job, he hadn’t lost his family and he was still being voted in as M.P and was still being invited to appear on prestigious programmes such as Question time, so things couldn’t be all that bad could they! Often when the alcohol dependency actually starts taking tangible things away from an individual it might then create a climate that they really need to do something radical about it. Only aged 55 it feels such a terrible waste of a life.

[Stillhomewardbound]

I just feel profoundly sad at this tragic loss. I was still awake when the news was flashed early this morning and I found myself in tears.

As a personality he was hugely likeable. Always intelligent and always with both feet planted firmly on the ground, an air of ease and often self-deprecation never far away.

As a politician he really came across as having that rare gift of true integrity and when there was an issue on which I was unclear his voice was very much one I would want to hear.

[Nick Armstrong]

RIP Charles. I hope you are now at peace from your demons. I have worked for twenty years in the field of alcohol addiction and it was shame to see a talented political brain gradually going downhill and gradually getting worse. Over the years it was awful seeing Charles in TV interviews and appearing on Question Time when he looked under the influence of drink. I’m not sure that being able to function in spite of his alcohol problems was actually helpful to any possible recovery. He hadn’t lost his job, he hadn’t lost his family and he was still being voted in as M.P and was still being invited to appear on prestigious programmes such as Question time, so things couldn’t be all that bad could they! Often when the alcohol dependency actually starts taking tangible things away from an individual it might then create a climate that they really need to do something radical about it. Only aged 55 it feels such a terrible waste of a life.

Very eloquent, Stanfordian, thank you.

This was impressive too, I thought:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/alastair-campbell/charles-kennedy-a-lovely-man_b_7490778.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

[Serial_Apologist]

I just feel profoundly sad at this tragic loss. I was still awake when the news was flashed early this morning and I found myself in tears.

As a personality he was hugely likeable. Always intelligent and always with both feet planted firmly on the ground, an air of ease and often self-deprecation never far away.

As a politician he really came across as having that rare gift of true integrity and when there was an issue on which I was unclear his voice was very much one I would want to hear.

Two things one might like to have him remembered by were his opposition to the Iraq war, and to the Libdems going into coalition with the Tories in 2010.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Indeed.

Thanks for the Huffington link, Caliban. A very genuine tribute from one who knew CK intimately.

[Barbirollians]

I don't think there was much hypocritical cant around today - he was genuinely liked . His death is terribly sad , he leaves a young son for heavens sake and the first time I have shed a tear at the demise of a politician since the death of John Smith . He was right about the Iraq war and as the general election showed absolutely right in opposing the coalition. The new Lib Dem leader will do well to return the party to what it stood for under Kennedy and then it might have a chance of recovery.

So often it seems in politics we lose those whose intelligence and integrity we can do with too young .

[french frank]

I don't think there was much hypocritical cant around today - he was genuinely liked . His death is terribly sad and the first time I have shed a tear at the demise of a politician since the death of John Smith . He was right about the Iraq war and as the general election showed absolutely right in opposing the coalition. The new Lib Dem leader will do well to return the party to what it stood for under Kennedy and then it might have a chance of recovery.

I agree.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I agree.

His opposition to the Iraq War and, as importantly, its appalling aftermath for Iraq and the region, was far more cautious than is being cheer-leaded today, often by those politicians and commentators seeking a get out of jail card for their own obscene connivance. True, he was better then than most of the British political class, but that says very little.

BN.

[Alison]

Nearly everything Charles said was interesting. You can't say that of many politicians.

[StephenO]

I don't think there was much hypocritical cant around today - he was genuinely liked . His death is terribly sad , he leaves a young son for heavens sake and the first time I have shed a tear at the demise of a politician since the death of John Smith . He was right about the Iraq war and as the general election showed absolutely right in opposing the coalition. The new Lib Dem leader will do well to return the party to what it stood for under Kennedy and then it might have a chance of recovery.

So often it seems in politics we lose those whose intelligence and integrity we can do with too young .

A wonderful man and a tragic loss. I too shed a tear today. It's almost like losing a member of your own family. Charles showed that a politician can have decency and integrity and can stick to his principles while bringing a smile to people's faces. He'll be sadly missed.