This tweet of mine led to several requests from people outside Scotland to see Willie’s email, so here it is.

Warning to @scotlibdems members. You have email from @willie_rennie. Don’t read it in public or you will cry. #fb

— Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) June 2, 2015

But you have been warned. Willie so often gets it absolutely right when he does this sort of thing and this is no exception. Get yourself a cup of tea and a tissue.

We have lost someone special.

That cheeky smile, that cracking wit, that Highland lilt and those wise words to illuminate the moment – that’s the Charles Kennedy who would capture the political hearts of many – as he certainly did mine.

Charles spoke with and for people with simplicity, charm and colour.

He used his calm judgement to make the right calls on so much too.  On Europe, on independence and, probably most significantly of all, on Iraq he gently sought to persuade the nation to his point of view and often succeeded.

I wanted him in the Scottish Parliament – a request he was considering.  He would have revelled in the campaign to keep Britain in Europe.   There is no doubt Charles had so much more to give.

I want to share my favourite story.  Charles came to help my flagging by election campaign in Dunfermline.  There was an older lady who shouted her support from across the street.  “We love you Charles!” He laughed and then chided her saying we’d had enough scandals, thank you.

Well today we all love Charles Kennedy.

Best wishes,

Willie Rennie

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social