Unbelievable!
Of course you can have sympathy for the man but it is baffling that Kennedy has deceived the people who voted for him, he leads a party that has kept it secret and we have a press that knew and refused to print it. He seems to be a man who needs help but all this from his supposed friends about how brave he has been is nonsense. If they were real friends they would be telling him to go. He would never have got in front of the cameras and made this confession had he not been told that ITN were about to run a story about his drinking. Whichever way you cut it Kennedy lied over years about this and he is finished. If he stays on they will be the pointless and silly party (although some rightly argue they are anyway!).
Now he seeks to wrong foot his internal critics by calling this election which only someone acting as a stalking horse will stand in. He has been revealed as a fool. This is a disaster for the Lib Dems and they will pay heavily for it. The fact is that if Kennedy stays they are doomed and if he goes they will be launched into a damaging leadership campaign which will lead to a fundamental fight between the right and the left.
Who would win that fight? Well whoever it is they will be a failure; especially if it is Hughes.
Ever since I have been in politics we have had the Lib Dems locally crowing about the divisions within my own party. To have the divisions in the Lib Dems gives me some joy and to see the destruction of the Lib Dem party in this way reminds me of Jeremy Thorpe and the destruction of the Liberals.
In fact the real disgrace is the entire parliamentary Lib Dem party who have kept this secret and pretended that all was well when they were all aware of this devastating disease. If only for the sake of Kennedy and his family they should have made him depart prior to the last election. I suppose thoguh they feared for losing their seats had he gone then - such is politics.
Linked here is the quote of Jenny Tonge on the Today programme. With friends like her who needs enemies?
Of course you can have sympathy for the man but it is baffling that Kennedy has deceived the people who voted for him, he leads a party that has kept it secret and we have a press that knew and refused to print it. He seems to be a man who needs help but all this from his supposed friends about how brave he has been is nonsense. If they were real friends they would be telling him to go. He would never have got in front of the cameras and made this confession had he not been told that ITN were about to run a story about his drinking. Whichever way you cut it Kennedy lied over years about this and he is finished. If he stays on they will be the pointless and silly party (although some rightly argue they are anyway!).
Now he seeks to wrong foot his internal critics by calling this election which only someone acting as a stalking horse will stand in. He has been revealed as a fool. This is a disaster for the Lib Dems and they will pay heavily for it. The fact is that if Kennedy stays they are doomed and if he goes they will be launched into a damaging leadership campaign which will lead to a fundamental fight between the right and the left.
Who would win that fight? Well whoever it is they will be a failure; especially if it is Hughes.
Ever since I have been in politics we have had the Lib Dems locally crowing about the divisions within my own party. To have the divisions in the Lib Dems gives me some joy and to see the destruction of the Lib Dem party in this way reminds me of Jeremy Thorpe and the destruction of the Liberals.
In fact the real disgrace is the entire parliamentary Lib Dem party who have kept this secret and pretended that all was well when they were all aware of this devastating disease. If only for the sake of Kennedy and his family they should have made him depart prior to the last election. I suppose thoguh they feared for losing their seats had he gone then - such is politics.
Linked here is the quote of Jenny Tonge on the Today programme. With friends like her who needs enemies?
9 comments:
I'll give you evens that Ed Davey will become leader! He was one of the frontbench rogues that signed the letter calling for Charlie to go! What a mean, mean man.
I don't think that would be the answer either for Ed or for the party. There are many in the queue before him.
From what I am hearing on the news he will be gone today and if not then the party is finished and will implode.
Also sounds like Cable is positioning himself.
The real problem for them is that I actually think that many of the Lib Dem grass roots support Kennedy. If he does not resign are Cable, Davey and their conspirators going to resign from their spokesmen positions?
I agree with rob on the issue of alcohol. I hope being an alcoholic is not the issue but lying about the situation is very serious, especially for a party that's whole emphasis has been on trust with the people.
I can see no one in their party who can rescue them from electoral disaster!
You're right Kevin, its the lies that are the crucial aspect from a party that has always branded itself as being all about honesty. Can anyone trust Kennedy again? He says he's recovering now, but is that really true? Kennedy's was the down to earth, every day, honest face of the Lib Dems - it just shows what a facade the Lib Dems actually have.
It seems that Davey is behind this whole thing. With this area being predominatly compassionate conservative him and Kramer are very worried about the Cameron effect winning back voters. I will bet that he will be the next leader of the party. Either that or he will run as a stalking horse for Mark Oaten. Either way it is a great time to be a tory and a very bad time to be a Lib Dem. The results in May in Kingston are going to be very interesting.
Oh dear - how the nursery loves it when teacher gets upset.
You Tories really are having a larff aint cha?
Remind me did the Tories implode when the MPs got rid of IDS - not they got a new more competent leader and got on with their job.
It's exactly what the Lib Dems will do too.
The wishful thinking in this place is incredible. I suppose it's the only tinking you Tories do. Can't over stretch the other braincell old chap.
Toodlepip old fruits!
Indeed it is a fine time to be a Tory! The anyone-but-Charlie options are delicious for us. Let me see ...
Ming Campbell - a.k.a. 'bald Scottish bloke' according to the Sun. I think I saw him once on Dr Finley'.
Simon Hughes - a man invented to scare off the soft Lib Dem vote in South West London. I imagine he considers swimming pools'bourgeois' and an 'obsctacle to social justice'. Or something.
Nick Clegg - who? Oh, he used to be an MEP. Great.
Vince Cable - Mr Charisma!
David Laws - as much chance of winning a vote amongst the predominately social democratic Lib Dem membership as Enoch Powell.
So there was one. Ed Davey!
Could be do it? Kingston and Surbiton waits with baited breath ...
Sadly Ed has ruled himself out and is pushing for Ming. I cannot rally believe we are going to be able to call the Lib Dems 'Mingers' - too delicious for words. Let's hope for Hughes!
What a mess they are in and what a poisonous bunch of back stabbers they have proved themselves to be. At least Maggie's cabinet had the dignity to tell her to go behind closed doors. Cable, Teather and Ed decide to do it on national television.
This blog just demonstrates what awful people the Conservatives are. Just because Charles Kennedy was incompetent, lazy, a bit thick and liked a couple of whiskys (bottles that is) you seem to that that he shouldnt be leader! We Lib Dems know that embracing a person such as this is and giving him a position of responsibility (well leader of the 3rd largest party - or 4th if you are counting the European elections) encourages diversity within society - an enriching experience for us all.
I am also glad that 'Lady' Jenny Tonge has shown her true blue colours, when commenting on Kennedy's suitability to be party leader claiming that 'you wouldnt pick a one-legged man to play Tarzan'. This goes against everything we Lib Dems stand for! Even if the one-legged man was the worst candidate he should be given the role - to act otherwise would upset him, and would do nothing to enhance 'social justice'.
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