Bobby Sands
Activist of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (1954-1981)
Charles Kennedy
British politician (1959-2015)
Charles Kennedy was a British politician who led the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006. He served as an MP for over 30 years and played a key role in opposing the Iraq War. However, his later years were marked by concerns about his leadership and health, leading to his resignation as party leader in 2006.
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About the Charles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedywas a British politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006, and was the Member of Parliamentfor Ross, Skye and Lochaber from 1983 to 2015.
Kennedy was elected to the House of Commons in 1983, and after the Alliance parties merged, became president of the Liberal Democrats and, following the resignation of Paddy Ashdown in August 1999, leader of the Liberal Democrats. He led the party in the 2001 and 2005 general elections, increasing its number of seats in the House of Commons to their highest level since 1923, led his party’s opposition to the Iraq War, and broadly positioned the party to the left of New Labour. A charismatic and affable speaker in public, he appeared extensively on television during his leadership.
During the latter stages of Kennedy’s leadership, there was concern about both his leadership and his health. From December 2005, some within the party were openly questioning his position and calling for a leadership election. On 5 January 2006, he was informed that ITN would be reporting that he had received treatment for alcoholism; he pre-empted the broadcast by admitting that he had had treatment, and resigned as leader the following day after receiving no support within the parliamentary party. After Menzies Campbell succeeded him as leader, Kennedy remained in office as a backbench MP, where he voted against the formation of the Cameron-Clegg coalition. He died less than a month after losing his seat in the House of Commons in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Kennedy was born on November 25, 1959.
Charles Kennedy was the leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006.
Charles Kennedy was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ross, Skye and Lochaber from 1983 to 2015.
Charles Kennedy led his party’s opposition to the Iraq War during his time as Liberal Democrat leader.
In 2006, Charles Kennedy resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats after concerns were raised about his leadership and health, including his treatment for alcoholism.
Charles Kennedy died less than a month after losing his seat in the House of Commons in 2015.
As a charismatic and affable speaker, Charles Kennedy appeared extensively on television during his time as leader of the Liberal Democrats.
4 Quotes by Charles Kennedy
- 1.
There are hard choices to be made in balancing the country’s security and an individual’s liberties. But it is a choice that has to be faced.
Charles KennedyBritish politician (1959-2015)
- 2.
Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.
Charles KennedyBritish politician (1959-2015)
- 3.
There stands no contradiction between giving voice to legitimate anxiety and at the same time, as and when exchange of fire commences, looking to the rest of the country, as well as all of us in the House, to give full moral support to our forces.
Charles KennedyBritish politician (1959-2015)
- 4.
Three simple words – freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.
Charles KennedyBritish politician (1959-2015)