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Some self-styled champions of Charles Kennedy have taken to blaming the party’s troubles on other MPs for plotting and anonymously briefing against him. I am afraid that much of this is a distortion of the truth. Without exception all the Lib Dem MPs I worked with from 1997 to 2005 were personally warm towards Charles [...]

So Happy Birthday to Syd Barrett. PS: there is no coded message here. Not even if you listen to it backwards.

As the day's events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear why it had become necessary to confront the leadership issue head-on. 48 hours ago, your average grass-roots activist was a bit mystified as to why the vultures were circling around Charles Kennedy. Sure, we all knew he liked his drink - but we also thought that that didn't matter as long as it didn't affect his ability to do the job. Now that the cat's out of the bag, so to speak, a picture begins to emerge of a man who sometimes couldn't give of his best because of his drink ...

It's time to have a rip on David Cameron, too. Trust People points out his blatant hypocrisy regarding cut-price offers in chain stores.

Having failed to abolish the Arts Council of Wales and merge it with the Welsh Assembly Government because of a small obstacle called a royal charter, the Government has effectively taken it over by stealth instead. From this year they will be directly funding Wales’s six biggest arts companies, including the Welsh National Opera, and they have now forced out the current chair. Many view these actions as politicisation of the arts, they are not wrong. Labour Arts Minister, Alun Pugh, may soon regret this move when he comes under political pressure to censor productions such as Jerry ...

Once again, Richard has lept to a spirited defence of Charles Kennedy. Once again, however, I feel that he is incapable of setting aside his personal feelings of loyalty to the party leader at the expense of seeing the greater good of the party. The fact is that Charles Kennedy has not done anything of note for a couple of years now. The Lib Dems are now notable for their complete failure to have set the political agenda in any significant way since the Iraq war. Partially this is because it is very difficult to pin down exactly what the ...

The London Liberal Drinks is still set for Wednesday 18 January (7pm, Silver Cross, Whitehall). Regardless of what happens over the next 10 days, it should be an opportune time to get together and compare notes. Main likely topics to discuss: the Meeting the Challenge conference a few days before and, of course, the leadership [...]

News reports this evening suggest that Charles Kennedy's has now lost the confidence of almost half the parliamentary party. In these circumstances it is obvious that he must resign as Liberal Democrat leader. His belief that he can stay in office by appealing to the membership over the heads of his colleagues is absurd. Is there no one in his inner circle with the sense or courage to tell him this? The longer this affair drags on, the more damage will be caused to the party. And the more damage there will be to Charles Kennedy's reputation. That will be ...

There is no way Charles Kennedy can continue as Liberal Democrat party leader. I was one of the many grassroots activists backing Charles over the last few weeks despite the anonymous briefings against him. His announcement last night was a shock, despite the rumours about his drinking in the past. I could probably accept having an [...]

I can’t get Monty Python out of my head. The dead parrot sketch or the Black Knight in Holy Grail snorting “’tis but a flesh wound!” - take your pick of analogies. Either way, it is clear that a) Charles Kennedy’s leadership is over and b) he just refuses to roll over and [...]

“Mark Oaten is popular among younger Lib Dems”. Show me one. Who doesn't work for him.

I'm blog crazy today - it must be because of Charlie boy. Anyway it seems some people think that bigamy is still a possibility in the UK as I received this email below from my male colleague in Sales this afternoon. I note that while he at last acknowledges my marriage he still refers to me as 'Ms Darbyshire'. Grrr and double grrr (see previous posts). Will no one use the term 'Mrs' anymore? Seriously the number of people I write to as 'Mrs' and receive a politically correct 'Ms' response back to is astounding. I also find it bizarre ...

It's a bit of a day today! So many people are emailing and contacting me about where I stand that I think it only right to put my thinking on the record on my blog - unadulterated. I am pretty angry about the way things have happened over Charles Kennedy's position as Leader - and have been since the beginnings of the public rumblings following the pre-Christmas briefings to the media. It's not

by Robin. So it looks like a leadership contest is on. It will be a tricky one if it turns out to be anything but a farce. Who shall I vote for? My preference is for Mark Oaten (if he stands) as I know him well and worked with him in Winchester. He is a hard working MP and a great boss. He's a good guy and I think he could stand up well against Blair and Cameron. I think the problem would be that he is not necessarily well liked by the membership ...

Three weeks ago, I posted an article, ‘If you've not got anything nice to say...’, urging “those MPs indulging in reckless media briefing against CK [to] shut the fuck up, or else show some backbone, and say in public what you're whispering in private.” I feel I owe them at least a half-apology. It’s now pretty clear that many of our MPs have witnessed at first-hand – in a way that members like

An email that I have just sent to Lynne Featherstone below. I will let you know if she replies: Dear Lynne, If there is a leadership contest and Charles is not featured on the ballot (as some are saying) or goes unsupported then will you stand for leader? I would absolutely love to see you as leader of the Party. We badly need a lady leader. It’s not just me that thinks that – my husband and I have been chatting to lots of our friends in the Party who have been thinking the same way. I think ...

I’ve upgraded this site to Wordpress 2.0. With any luck, you won’t have noticed! Tags: wordpress

When I was standing at the back of the Charles Kennedy press conference yesterday I noted that a journalist in front of me had written down the names of two politicians at the top of his notebook- Winston Churchill and George Brown. Both of these politicians served at the highest levels of government whilst frequently drunk. It is also the case that the current President of the United States is a recovering alcoholic. The key issue is whether those around them and the electorate at large believe that they are capable and competent enough to do the job they have ...

As many as 26 people in Turkey are reported to be showing symptoms. According to this report the strain causing problems in Turkey is showing signs that it has become more efficent in its ability to move from infected birds to humans.

I was profoundly saddened by Charles Kennedy's admission yesterday. Who knows why it is that most of us can go through life enjoying a social drink, but a few get sucked in to a spiral where everyone is the victim. Charles Kennedy is an astute and talented individual - but he now lies exposed. He is quite right in his assertion that he has widespread support at the grass roots level within this party. What remains to be seen is how much of that depended on his assurances that his drinking was not a problem - that he was only ...

Rachel Squire the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife has finally succoumb to her long battle with cancer last night. She twice underwent operations for brain tumours and was not well since before the General Election in May last year. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Allan, her family and constituents at this time.

The word on the street - well from my colleagues - who are a very representative bunch of 20 somethings - is that Charles now looks like a man of the people - his alcoholism makes him seem like a normal person and they feel that it's good that he is giving Press coverage to this widespread but little talked about British problem. They think yesterdays' announcement will increase his popularity with the public. Just a shame the frontbench can't keep their mouths shut. Have they not thought about the forthcoming local elections? Durr! I saw a letter ...

To appear on Big Brother is not actually the answer. What is George Galloway doing on Big Brother? George Galloway is Member of Parliament for Bethnal Green and Bow (and many other things I am too polite to write added with the fact he does like to sue!), now I seem to recall that a MP is supposed to represent their constituents in Parliament and also take up their problems and causes - maybe I was wrong...

So here it is, after weeks if not months of pressure from his fellow Parliamentarians Charles Kennedy has admitted he is a recovering alcoholic and has called a Leadership contest in which he will stand. Firstly I would like to wish Charles good luck in his recovery, his drinking has been an open secret within the Liberal Democrats for a while I am glad that he has accepted there is a problem and has taken medical help for it.

When Abraham Lincoln was told of complaints about General Ulysses Grant’s drinking, he is reputed to have said: ‘Find out what Grant drinks and I’ll send a case of it to all my other generals.’ These days, sadly, thrift and sobriety win out every time over eccentric brilliance. Jonathan Calder (or rather Lord Bonkers) rates the 11 Lib Dem MP signatories of the letter of no confidence in Charles Kennedy as ‘Not a bad side, though the tail looks a little long for comfort and we may regret the absence of a second spinner.’ In fact they are a team ...

Sadly the 'Dead Man Walking' description of Charles Kennedy seems true. It is the loss of support of senior colleagues in such great numbers that will 'do for' Kennedy in my view, rather than his issues with alcohol, which could and hopefully are being addressed. CK's announcement seems like an attempt to flush out his oppenents in a put up or shut up appeal, yet again ! He's hoping to be the only name on the ballot, but it is more likely that a vote of confidence motion supported by a significant part of the parliamentary party that will ...

Charles Kennedy's bold and unprecedented statement yesterday shows that he has confronted his own problems and now stands ready to lead the Liberal Democrats to even greater victories in the future. Criticism is loud from the usual suspects - the Murdoch press and other parties' supporters - but there seems to be an electrifyingly positive feeling in the country at large. People have always liked Charles, and they now like him even more. When Tom McNally declared that Kennedy was brilliant on his good days, but that we needed more good days, he identified the only problem. We now know ...

I can’t believe some of the statements that are coming out regarding Charles Kennedy. In the two papers I read daily that was 7 pages worth of coverage. Some are talking about him being underhanded, these are some of the same people who briefed against him, signed letters on no confidence they were not prepared to deliver and they stand for the party of openness and democracy in

by Alex Sweet It seems pretty clear that Kennedy cannot and will not be allowed to appear on a ballot paper for re-election. That would be an utter disaster; our MPs will not allow it. Other outcomes are still bad, but redeemable and with a silver lining. There are questions that Kennedy would never again be able to answer as leader. I can't understand how one could want Kennedy to continue as leader now; I also think the other MPs have not behaved badly in very difficult circumstances. I hope that we can avoid needlessly damaging division as a party, ...

by Steve Travis Like Peter's posting below, this is a personal viewpoint. Having thought long and hard about this, it is clear to me that Charles Kennedy cannot go on as leader. I can understand why he wants to - clearly, losing the party leadership, a big anchor in his life, must be an unsettling thought. But to go on without the support of some of the brightest and best of his front-bench spokesmen would be hugely damaging both to his leadership and to the party as a whole. Another problem is that for various reasons none ...

Last night’s announcement by Charles Kennedy that he will put himself forward for a leadership contest has not resolved the problems in the Liberal Democrat party. Some MPs who could be realistic alternatives to Charles will find it hard to stand because they have publicly pledged not to fight him before and do not want to [...]

Went into the newsagents this morning to pick up my papers to be confronted mainly by pictures of Charles Kennedy on the front covers, occasionally sharing it with George Galloway in the tabloids. Some of the papers had taken a picture from yesterday's press conference, which is fair and right. The Times did one of their famous underneath lit ones with the headline "Kennedy Confronts his

Sometimes politicians can really surprise you. There he was on live TV, both shocking and disconcerting. “Gorgeous” George Galloway is in the Celebrity Big Brother house. I hadn’t heard the rumours so my jar dropped when he appeared. My favourite moment was the gloomy look on Michael Barrymore’s face when he saw Galloway enter. The producers have [...]

by Peter This is a personal view - blame me if you don´t like it. I haven't discussed this with others. Kennedy's announcement yesterday was the worst possible news for the Party. He has lost the confidence of his colleagues, and, in my view, a very considerable part of the membership. Drinking is one aspect of this - but none of us can know just how good a leader Kennedy might be if he did´'t drink. So it would be foolish to say that it is the only problem. Many people have responded to the crisis by attacking the messengers. ...

Friday 6th January 2006 - So after all the speculation and gossip the press have finally got their man and forced Charles to go public with his drink problem. I, like many others, have continued to back and support Charles Kennedy 100% despite the rumours flying around for some months now and still beleive despite his problems he has done a terrific job for this Party and we have reached record

If this was the West Wing, then all Kennedy would have to do next Wednesday is make an impassioned, poignant speech at the Parliamentary Party, underscored by some inspiring strings and suddenly everyone will realise what a noble, wonderful leader he is, never mind the booze and the lies, and everything will be forgotten in [...]

Charles Clarke has admitted that the 'reclassification' of cannabis has confused people. No shit, Sherlock! Sending out signals that something is OK, whilst keeping it a criminal offence, is designed to wreak havoc. Talk about mixed messages! The deeper issue, of course, is what we actually want our policy on cannabis to be. This is a much harder issue, because we are working from the starting point of cannabis being illegal. Thus, any "declassification" or decriminalisation, or even legalisation, sends out the message that previous information about cannabis was wrong. It is safer than we thought it was - not ...