Say what you will about Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Liberal Democrat party, he did not deserve his fate.
Earlier this month, on January 5, Kennedy received a 4-1-1 from ITV, a terrestrial British television station, that they would expose his alcoholism by going with a report that he'd had treatment for his drinking problem. He beat them to the punch by holding a press conference, owning up to his problem, but he also verified his intention that he would stay on as party leader. His admission, however, damaged his standing with parliamentary leaders of his own party who quickly abandoned him, withdrawing their support. Only two days later, he resigned.
Since taking over from the combative Paddy Ashdown in 1999, Kennedy twice brought about some of the greatest successes the LibDems ever had in the general elections. In 2001, the party received 18.3 percent of the vote, up from 1997; in 2005, it was 22 percent, their best showing since 1923, taking 62 seats.
Admittedly, Kennedy did lie. On December 18, Kennedy was asked in an ITV interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, "Has it been a battle to stay off the booze, have you had to have medical support in any way at all?" Kennedy replied, "No, no, no, that is not the case, it is a matter on all fronts - if there's something my doctor really wants me to do over this holiday period as a matter of fact, is give up smoking and I think he's right." Furthermore, in 2004 The Times reported that Kennedy had not attended a budget debate due to being hung over. Lastly, in 2002, BBC contrarian Jeremy Paxman asserted that Kennedy was often drunk in interviews and straightforwardly asked him, "do you drink by yourself, a bottle of whisky late at night?" Kennedy denied this. The BBC apologized to Kennedy, but Paxman himself didn't.
Kennedy should have admittted the truth earlier, but due to the nature of alcoholism, he was in denial. As with any disease, alcoholics need help, even with the truth. But instead of standing behind Kennedy while he sought help, twenty-five members of his party presented him with a letter demanding his resignation. The point was clear - either he resigned or they all did. European Parliament LibDem Chris Davis called him "a dead man walking." His own private secretary said he should go. And so Kennedy was forced out into the cold.
The writing may already have been on the wall for him, drink problem or not. Kennedy was criticized for having a laconic style. The December 29 edition of The Daily Telegraph reported that Kennedy was under fire for having no strategy for combatting the Conservatives under their new leader David Cameron. In 2005, the LibDems failed to capture seats they expected, losing bids to either the Conservatives or failing to unseat incumbent Labour MPs. One LibDem source said Kennedy might step down after the local May elections.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Agree totally, Mark. whilst it makes sense that someone with this particular disease is gonna need to spend a LOT of time gettin themselves even half right again, an so probably he wouldn't be in the best position to lead a party at this minute in time, it's shockin an disgustin how Kennedy has been treated not only by the media (with very few exceptions) but by his own damn party.
2 - simon hb
It's a great shame to see Charles Kennedy leaving British politics, but let's not be too quick to condemn his colleagues - frankly, if you want to damn them, you should damn them for covering up for him for so long. They were covering for him - when he failed to turn up at short notice to deliver his party's budget response; when he botched their manifesto launch because he was the worst for wear. And then, to make it worse, he made the announcement about his drink problem without warning them, at the same time appealing over their heads to the wider party. Those who had been supporting him, trying to give him the space to sort himself out without revealing what was an ever-worst-kept secret, were suddenly left looking they'd been the liars, keeping secrets. It's no wonder they felt they could no longer support him.
They did their best to support him; but it reached a point where the best thing they could do was stop covering for him.
3 - Bing
A Kennedy who can't tell the truth or stay sober?
This isn't news.
4 - Mark Edward Manning
Bing: "A Kennedy who can't tell the truth or stay sober? This isn't news."
Heh, good one, Bing. In fact, were it not for the Editor's insertion of "Britain's" in the title, a lot of people may have thought this referred to Ted Kennedy and the American Democrat party. I can understand why it was added ... But Charles Kennedy is of no relation to the American Kennedy clan. He may be a drunk, but aside from that, a very likeable man. And can you imagine an American Kennedy supporting the troops even if he opposed the war? JFK might have, but not a contemporary one.