Pretty much everyone is paying tribute to Charles Kennedy and we’ll bring them to you on here.
Tim Farron was on Breakfast a while ago and sounded like he was fighting off tears as he talked about his good mate. I suspect that the tributes will take up several threads today. Feel free to add your own in the comments.
Nick Clegg
Charles’s untimely death robs Britain of one of the most gifted politicians of his generation.
Charles devoted his life to public service, yet he had an unusual gift for speaking about politics with humour and humility which touched people well beyond the world of politics.
He was a staunch internationalist and passionate believer in Britain’s role in Europe, yet he was a proud Highlander, Scot and British Parliamentarian.
He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous too not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq.
He led the Liberal Democrats to our party’s greatest electoral successes, yet he always remained modest about his huge achievements.
Whenever I asked him for advice, he was unfailingly kind and wise.
Most of all, I will never forget the pride and love with which he would talk about his own family, most especially his devotion to his son Donald.
My heart goes out to his sister and brother and to Sarah and Donald at this tragic time.
I am utterly heartbroken about the news of Charles’ passing. He was a colleague, friend and mentor. We’ve lost a giant today.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) June 2, 2015
The untimely death of Charles Kennedy – such a tragic loss of a lovely, talented man. My thoughts r with his young son, his family & friends — Norman Lamb (@normanlamb) June 2, 2015
Charles Kennedy. In a political age not overburdened with gaiety and good sense, he brought us wit, charm, judgement, principle and decency
— Paddy Ashdown (@paddyashdown) June 2, 2015
Deeply saddened by the death of my friend Charles Kennedy. A gifted man of great principle and the common touch. We’ll miss him greatly. — Jim Wallace (@jrwallace54) June 2, 2015
Charles Kennedy a friend and colleague for 32 years. Popular in the real sense. His wit and good humour a great loss to us all.
— Malcolm Bruce (@malcolmbruce) June 2, 2015
Willie Rennie
With that cheeky smile, Highland voice and a few simple words, Charles Kennedy captured the political hearts of the nation. Charles had a unique combination of political talent and public affection. He had a healthy disdain for policy detail but had highly tuned political instincts. He was in his element on the campaign trail – stealing the show in a TV debate on independence, a joust with opponents in a public meeting in Portree or greeting people on the streets of Dunfermline. His wise counsel and gentle encouragement is something I especially valued. I will miss him so much.
Kirsty Williams
We are all immensely sad to hear of this devastating news. You would struggle to meet a kinder man than Charles. He was a man who had time for everybody; a real people person and that made him stand out from all the rest. He will always be remembered for his warm personality and brilliant quick wit. Charles was a giant in our party. He was robust, sincere and passionate. Never will I be more proud of our party than when Charles us led from the front in our opposition to the Iraq war. This wasn’t a decision taken lightly, yet Charles was a man of principle and did what he knew was right. The party owes him a great gratitude for the position he took and the bravery he showed. Above all else, our thoughts go out to Charles’ family at this very difficult time
Jo Swinson
Devastated by news of Charles Kennedy: much-loved in the Lib Dem family and far beyond; sharp-witted yet kind, brave, champion of liberalism
— Jo Swinson (@joswinson) June 2, 2015
Nicola Sturgeon
Sad beyond words to hear the news about Charlie Kennedy. A lovely man and one of the most talented politicians of his time. Gone too soon.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 2, 2015
Chris Rennard
Sad is far too small and far too insignificant a word to express today’s feelings. You need to study Shakespeare to understand the real meaning of tragedy in today’s news. Our thoughts are very much with his family and his young son Donald.
“CK” as he was often known, was one of remarkably few people in politics who would find appropriate, but sometimes unusual words, to understand and express peoples’ emotions. Many of us will struggle to do that now.
They say that Churchill took command of the English language and sent it to war. Charles did that for the cause of liberal democracy and all the decent values associated with it. That great cause which he espoused throughout his all too short life is now mourning deeply.
He had the courage to leave Labour, to be part of a new party, the SDP, trying to bring hope to British politics, the courage to help it to form the Liberal Democrats, and then the courage and skill to lead it in united opposition to the unprincipled and illegal invasion of Iraq.
When Charles had to resign as Leader, the Lib Dems were in great difficulty. But he took my advice to quickly return to the fray just two weeks later in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election. This was the decisive moment in a famous victory which then restored the party’s fortunes.
He instinctively knew how people with liberal values felt. He spoke for them, providing inspiration and common sense in sufficient quantity to lead the party to what he called “the greatest heights in the Liberal tradition since Lloyd-George in 1922”.
The “tragic flaw” described in his biography meant that many people never knew the gentle, generous, good man that I first knew. Privately, he knew a lot about what he couldn’t do and publicly he didn’t want people to see his weaknesses.
Part of his strength was to listen and to deliberate carefully, withstanding criticism that this was weakness. He then worked most effectively with those of us he trusted to try and deliver his objectives.
Many of us tried to help him deal with his health problems and much regret that we failed. When I was Chief Executive, and the party was becoming divided over them, I told him that what the party really wanted was “Charles Kennedy without alcohol.”
As Leader, Charles knew that he was standing on Paddy’s shoulders, he shook hands with Ming Campbell when he was succeeded by him and the gains made under his leadership paved the way for everything that Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats later achieved in government.
Sal Brinton
Dreadful news this morning of the sudden death of Charles Kennedy, and Lib Dems everywhere are mourning one of our great heroes.
Much will be said today about Charles as a politician on the national scene, but those of us who knew him over the years saw Charles the man. If you have ever been canvassing with him, you’ll know how much he genuinely loved meeting and listening to people. His gift of relaxed communication changed the way politics operated.
He was mocked by senior Labour and Tory politicians over his and our Lib Dem stance against going into war in Iraq. We Lib Dems were proud to march with a million other British people, and of course, he was proved right in the long run. But it wasn’t being proved right that was important to him. It was the principle above all that mattered.
I also had the privilege of seeing him as Rector of Glasgow University on my daughter’s Graduation Day. Charles said to me how much he loved his role as Rector, elected by the students, and I watched him moving between the students and their families,
congratulating them, chatting to people in his utterly humble way, probably completely unaware of the impact he was having on them as he moved on to the next family. He made their day that bit more special.And that was also true in his parliamentary seat too. I have family in the West Highlands who just refer to him as Charles: everyone knew him really well, and over three decades he did all he could to help and represent them.
My thoughts today are with his staff team and activists in Ross, Skye and Lochaber, but most especially with his family. The family are immensely private, and I really hope that the press and media respect that and give them the time and space that they need to grieve.
Jennie Rigg
shares her memories of Charles at Conference Smokers’ Corner:
My first conference I went as a steward, because if you work conference you get in for free. One thing that most people outside the party (and even many people within) might not know is how Charles was revered among the stewards at conference – because even when he was leader and always after he always made time for a stewards’ thank you party, and he didn’t just stick his head in, he really had time for them and was genuinely grateful for how they made conference possible.
So my first conference, having worked my arse off at the least popular stewarding post because I was the n00b, I went to the steward’s party. And was welcomed joyously by Charles. And every conference after he always said hello, and remembered my name. A couple of times we’d end up in the smoking zone having a companionable rollup. My second autumn conference we went back to Bournemouth and I’ll never forget being sat on the wall by the Marriott Highcliff with Charles, kicking our feet and smoking a fag apiece like naughty schoolchildren behind the bikeshed and chatting about nothing much. I was – still am, really – nobody in the party. But Charles didn’t give a rat’s arse about who he was supposed to talk to.
And a final thought from me:
On this day of strong and fluctuating emotions, I’m feeling angry at the moment. The talk of “problems” or “flaws” or “demons” is upsetting me. Charles was no more flawed than the rest of us – in fact, probably a good bit less than some. If he’d been fighting a physical illness for years, we’d all be saying how brave and strong he was. Well, he was brave and strong, immensely so. He made such a powerful and compelling contribution to our national life for 3 decades, making the right calls on so many occasions while fighting ill health and that is even more reason to admire him.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
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The nasty party?
Street surgeries tonight #dundeewestend
Julie Walters' first screen appearance is on YouTube - and Don Warrington is in it too
David Evans
Roland
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29 Comments
Alastair Campbell’s tribute made me bawl: http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2015/06/02/charles-kennedy-a-lovely-man-a-talented-politician-a-great-friend-with-a-shared-enemy/
Utterly devastated at the news and pray for his family and friends. Though I did not know him personally he was the inspiration that got me to join the party in 2005. Not only was he a great leader for the party but I also think that he was a talent that was not properly utilised internally within the party in the last few years. God Bless him and deepest condolences to his family.
I liked him on Facebook a few weeks ago because I saw him engaging with people on it and having some banter about sorting out holes in the road. I also thought he did well on his recent Question Time performance, even though he seemed a bit worse for wear.
Thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.
The best leader we have had – a person and politician of rare qualities. RIP Charles Kennedy – my thoughts to his immediate family.
Check out this speech by Charles Kennedy:
“If the great powers ignore it (the United Nations) then great damage will be done”.
Proven right, not just about Iraq, but arguably the actions of Russia since too.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/02/charles-kennedy-lib-dems-truly-authentic-politician
Charles was the father of modern liberalism and the antithesis of orange bookerism. He was the most successful post war Lib Dem Leader ever and under his leadership I was totally at home and at ease in the party as it was then. I will miss him dreadfully. Rest In Peace Charles.
“I pledge to you today, that I am going to stand up – above all else – for social justice. We have to give voice to the disadvantaged and dispossessed, because those voices are not being heard by New Labour.” – Charles Kennedy, a real Liberal Democrat.
Such very sad news my sympathy to his young son and his family. Charles led us to our highest number of MPs ever and now we are at our lowest for many years. He must have been heartbroken to see the party so defeated. We owe it to his memory to rebuild the party and take it forward.
Words are not enough to describe the feelings of sadness and great loss as today’s news only slowly starts to sink in. Not only was Charles a man who led the party to its greatest electoral successes in recent years, he was also a man who had the common touch and who could connect with many outside politics, as well as leading the party in Westminster. My thoughts go out to his family at this very difficult time.
I have many good memories of Charles but three in particular always stick in my mind.
The first time I ever met him was at the SDP’s last Conference -in Sheffield to vote on merger in 1988 -he took time out to have a proper one to one conversation with me even though at that point I was completely unknown to him. He always, thankfully, lacked the rather pompous self importance that all too many politicians have and had a natural human touch.
In 2001 he came along to support my campaign to win Chesterfield and on a beautiful sunny day the large open air market place was absolutely jam packed with people pressed immobile shoulder to shoulder while shop and office workers leaned out of upstairs windows shouting messages of support.
In 2003 during the Iraq War debate I was sat a couple of rows behind him as he delivered a powerful speech as to why we would vote against the War, delivered in the face of New Labour heckling from the front and Conservative heckling from the seats to our right.
Charles was an absolutely terrific politician and a great human being. An unspeakable loss.
What awful news. Words can’t express how terribly sad this makes me. Charles was a man of principle, a gentleman, a true public servant, a unique and special human being. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
So sad to hear of Charle’s passing.
I met him twice & shook hands. He came over as a genuinely nice person
Charles was a politician of honour, a rarity in todays politics
He will be missed RIP Charles Kennedy
Speaking following the sad news of Charles Kennedy’s death, SNP MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber, Ian Blackford said:
“I am shocked and saddened at the news of Charles Kennedy’s 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.”
Kennedy is the reason that I am now a member, supporter and sometimes activist of the Liberal Democrats.
His speech at hyde park at the 2003 protest against the Iraq war made had a significant effect on a certain 10 year old. I’ve been a fan ever since!
If not for his personal demons, perhaps Oakshott is right, there is the slimmest possibility that Charliemania could have delivered a libdem majority in 2010.
Inspirational is the word I would use.
A tragic loss. I caught the news at half seven this morning, after turning on BBC Breakfast part-way through the Jeremy Hunt interview, whilst I was bundling up some Thank You focuses to deliver this evening – which I then dropped as I grabbed my phone to confirm the news.
An incredible man of passion and integrity, Charles Kennedy will always be an inspiration to all Liberals. I’m proud to serve as a councillor in the same party as he, and though I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I will sorely miss him.
Speed bonnie boat,
like a hack on the make,
over the sea to Skye.
Carry the lad,
who was born to be king,
over the sea to Skye.
Charles had a twinkle in his eye, purpose in his stride and integrity in abundance a credit for his son and wife, Scotland and Britain
I also have personal memories of Charles which I shall treasure. As to his greatest act of leadership – his absolute opposition to the Iraq invasion – two points which might be missed –
1. He led his entire party (every Liberal Democrat MP) into the House of Commons to vote in total unity against war in Iraq.
2. He insisted upon playing a leading role in the great march and rally against the war despite advice that it would demean him in his position as a party leader to do so.
How should he now be judged as against the “leaders of the free world” at that time?
Another simple but lovely tribute – in picture
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/jun/02/steve-bell-on-charles-kennedy-cartoon
I knew Charlie well when we were young; we were exact contemporaries at Glasgow University, and in debating. Charlie went into politics, and I went into the Army, so I refrained from keeping in touch – we soldiers are meant to be apolitical, after all. It must have been 25 year later when we bumped into each other in the Palace of Westminster, and his greeting was as warm and genuine as if we’d still been standing in the hall of Glasgow University Union. He was a genuine man, someone that so many people warmed to. I’ve thought of him often over the years, and for the rest of my days I’ll regret the fact that I didn’t try to keep our friendship going. May he rest in peace.
I spent the last week of the GE campaigning for Charles in his constituency. He was on superb form and it was a joy to be in his company as I said on LDV at the time. Hard to believe that less than five weeks ago I was sitting in his kitchen eating home-made soup and lasagne with other helpers prior to a public hustings meeting at which he took on the SNP with gusto and demolished their arguments with his customary good humour. Hard to believe he’s now gone. But oh what a pleasure it was listening to him articulate our vision for a better society every night at public meetings where even his SNP opponents admitted they respected and admired him.
After 40+ years of campaigning I probably enjoyed that week in the majestically beautiful Ross, Skye & Lochaber more than any other campaigning I’ve ever done. Fond memories of a genuine, decent, honest, principled and thoroughly nice guy. Today has felt very much like the day almost 30 years ago when we lost the much-loved David Penhaligon. Just as we remember him with great affection so too we will remember Charles Kennedy and what a privilege it was to know him and campaign alongside him. RIP Charles.
Charles Kennedy should still have been the Libdem Party leader
I admired him as a politician, wit and raconteur. His choice in music, such as David Bowie, was an indication of a broader, well judged and well rounded personality, with taste too. It is just a shame that the ‘SNP Tsunami’ took him from public life and possibly this lack of role meant that we are all now denied his skills, talents and forthrightness. You were too good to be ousted yet again. Sorry you are no longer with us. You will be missed.
When I set down my reasons for joining the Liberal Democrats a few days ago on my personal blog, I cited Charles Kennedy as one of those Lib Dems that made sense. Little did I realise that just a few days later there would be a reminder of exactly why.
The coverage today and the tributes from across the political spectrum and from people in all walks of life outside of politics demonstrate the respect for someone who was more than a Politician & Campaigner. He was above anything else a decent human being.
He was one of the finest politicians of his generation, got it right on almost every major issue, and was the best leader the Lib Dems have ever had.
I remember seeing him speak as a student at the University of Edinburgh around 2006. The leadership was being contested then between Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, but we students didn’t want either of them, we wanted Charlie back, flaws and all. Sadly he declined our urgings…
I don’t want to be bitter so I’ll skip over what happened since then, but suffice to say if Kennedy was still leader of the Lib Dems, I’d still be a member of the party today.
Richard Shaw <3 – I suspect that one is really going to raise the roof this autumn.
I met Charles for the first time when i was a teenager attending Lib Dem conference for the very first time, He was, as he told me at the time ‘approaching the dangerous age of 30’ so he was still only in his 20s himself. We shared a TV appearance together. But at that point he’d already become a giant in Liberal politics having been the cement really that made sure most SDP members backed the merger with the Liberal Party. All beit i was very young, i’d been a follower of the Liberal Party and, as many did at the time, had some suspicion about these SDP types. But there was no doubt whatsoever that CK was a Liberal to his core. From the moment i first met him I knew it was something that he embraced in principle, philosophy and spirit. I do also remember him advising me to be cautious in my progress in politics from a young age warning that often keen young things are set up as boy wonders only to be knocked down pretty quickly. His advice, encouragement and wise words helped me cope with the inevitable clash of personalities i would face as i got more involved in the party and became a member of the Federal Policy Committee and other bodies. When those personality clashes got me down CK’s words, as well as the encouragement of others like Simon Hughes and my old friend the much missed Neil Trafford, would help me keep the faith. I opted for a change in direction and a different career focus in the early 2000s but met CK on several occasions after that in different capacities – and he never once forgot our meeting when i was just 16. A lovely man who was exactly the same off and on screen. And someone who i am sure would have helped Tim and others in the rebuilding of the party.
In common with many other BME members of our Party I cite Charles Kennedy’s stance over the ill conceived invasion of Iraq as on of the primary reasons joining the Liberal Democrat Party.
Acknowledging this ethical stance, over the past 24hrs I have been contact by a number of non-Party BME members of some of the communities with whom I work and asked to pass on their heartfelt condolences to Charles Kennedy’s family and friends.
Although I only met Charles Kennedy a few times he was always warm and sincere in his welcome, and he made everyone around him feel valued, so I can truly empathise with the words of Tim Farron who stated only yesterday shortly after hearing the tragic news “I’ve lost a mate, and I’m gutted” for I have the belief that Charles Kennedy was a genuine “mate” to us all whether members of the Liberal Democrat Party, or not.
My thoughts and prayers, along with many others goes out to Charles Kennedy’s family, friends and “mates”, for we have all lost a truly liberal and democratic gentleman.
Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats – Chair
Despite the cover being in the colours of Harriet Harman’s bus Paul Flynn’s papereback book “How to be an MP” was on sale at Bournemouth conference. There is no index, but on page 48 he wrote:
“One former Lib Dem leader, Charles Kennedy, endured a weekly purgatory, He said of his scalding:
“What may seem flat or drowned out in the Chamber can come across as the sole, sane voice in the asylum to the real world watching on television.” Iraq gave me my opportunity. We were asking the awkward questions of Toby Blair that tha Tories could not. And the House wanted to hear his answers. At one stage I felt dispirited, until a senior Cabinet minister approached me and encouraged me to persist. ‘You’re asking the Questions half the Cabinet would love to ask – but can’t.”
We were asking the awkward questions of Tony Blair that the Tories could not