Writing about Charles

Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, died suddenly on 1 June 2015. The shocking news was met with an outpouring of grief and sadness that is seldom accorded to politicians. Lord , his predecessor as Liberal Democrat leader, tweeted: ‘. In a political age not overburdened with gaiety and good sense, he brought us wit, charm, judgment, principle and decency.’ Neil Stockley sums up Charles Kennedy’s career in the SDP and Liberal Democrats through the many tributes and obituaries that appeared in the days following his death.

6 Journal of Liberal History 87 Summer 2015 Writing about Charles

n an affectionate piece, Bar- Alastair Campbell, Downing For much of his career, from the oness , a for- Street Director of Communica- late 1980s until the middle of the Imer colleague from the SDP tions under , wrote a 2000s, his was among the best and the Liberal Democrats, called moving paean to a ‘lovely man and and most authentic voices of the him a ‘staggering human being’.1 a talented politician’ who ‘spoke revived liberal tradition.12 lamented the loss of fluent human’.10 Writing in The ‘a gifted, compassionate politician’.2 Telegraph, his long-time friend The paper’s obituary recounted The Scotsman remembered ‘a man of and former brother-in-law, James how: high principles blessed with a keen Gurling, recounted with affection sense of humanity and honour, Charles’s laid-back political style, Kennedy, red-haired and round- who served his constituents with his love of music and writing, his faced, a cheery and approachable dedication’.3 ‘With Charles Ken- easy manner and sense of humour, figure, with a soft Highlands nedy’s death, a light has gone out in his profound understanding of the accent, will generally be remem- Scottish and British politics,’ wrote Liberal Democrats, his political bered less for his political Alan Cochrane in The Telegraph.4 courage and his deep personal com- achievements than for the per- The opined ‘that the mitment to the causes of Scottish sona he exhibited in numerous passing of the former Liberal Dem- unionism and Europe.11 television appearances, which ocrat leader … has been greeted Charles deserved the accolades, Alastair stretched well beyond politi- with such sadness is a reflection of both for his personal qualities and cal programmes. Some envious his qualities: decency, principle, his significant achievements as a Campbell, colleagues marvelled at his easy kindness and wit.’5 politician. Nearly all of the tributes charm and wry sense of humour, On 10 June, the House of Com- and obituaries noted that under Downing which chimed well with the mons paid tribute to Charles Ken- his leadership, the Liberal Demo- public increasingly wary of nedy. The outgoing leader of the crats achieved their greatest elec- Street Direc- dour, cautious and manipulative Liberal Democrats, , toral success: 53 seats in 2001 and soundbite, party-line politicians, remembered ‘a much-loved politi- 62 in 2005. Not since the 1920s had tor of Com- though it also earned him the cian’ and paid a heartfelt tribute to there had there been such large sobriquet ‘chatshow Charlie’. ‘his wit, his warmth, his modesty’ Liberal contingents at Westmin- munications To the public, he scarcely and ‘honesty, wisdom and humil- ster. Moreover, on his watch, the seemed like a politician at all. ‘I ity’.6 The former party president, Liberal Democrats started to win under Tony make no apologies,’ he told an , fought back tears as he seats from Labour; unlike the old interviewer, ‘for the fact that mourned ‘a very, very special man’ Liberal Party, they did not go back- Blair, wrote I am a paid-up member of the and declared, ‘I loved him to bits’.7 wards with a Labour government human race.’13 Political opponents were sincere in power. a moving and generous in their praise. The columnist Martin former Conservative Chancellor, paean to a Kettle described him as: Kenneth Clarke, spoke respectfully The great communicator ‘lovely man of a ‘remarkably decent, honest, There was widespread agreement … one of the very few politi- very highly principled’ parlia- that the key to Charles’ successes and a tal- cians of the modern era to whom mentarian.8 The Labour MP Tom was his tremendous gifts as a com- ordinary non-political people Watson hailed Charles as ‘a very municator. The first theme of the ented poli- instinctively related. People great man [who] stood up for what obituaries and commentaries was liked him and were right to do he believed in [and] led a party of his remarkable ability to project tician’ who so … the centre-left with dignity and himself through the media, espe- … At his best, Kennedy compassion.’9 cially television, to connect with all ‘spoke fluent had the ability to rise above the Perhaps the most touching trib- kinds of people. crowd and speak for his times utes came from friends and family. The Guardian believed that: human’. in easily expressed and easily

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understood language. His ability antidotes to spin and control Yet , like The Telegraph to cut through the evasions and freakery … What was initially and The Guardian, glossed over the cliches of modern politics was a dismissed as frippery when tremendous courage that Charles quality so many others struggle pioneered by Kennedy is now displayed in opposing the . to emulate, often without suc- fawned upon by ‘brand manag- As recalled: cess. He also had a great and nat- ers’ as ‘authenticity’.16 ural sense of humour, unusual in He was bombarded with advice a very private man such as he. It from outside and inside the made him one of the few politi- Steely courage party to support the Blair gov- cians who could master every Second, there was a broad consen- ernment; it was said, in particu- form of television interview or sus that Charles combined his skills lar, that a party leader would appearance without looking as a media performer with astute never be forgiven by the public awkward.14 political judgement and what Nick for criticising a military inter- Clegg called ‘a steely courage’17 vention in which British service ‘On a good day,’ Nick Clegg when he took the principled deci- personnel were being killed in lamented in a media interview sion to oppose Britain’s participa- action. shortly after Charles’s death was tion in the second Iraq war. The But he was unpersuaded and announced, ‘he had more political Times contended that: constantly said: ‘the case has not talent in his little finger than the been made’. He went against rest of us put together.’15 It was arguably Kennedy’s fin- the conventional wisdom and Matthew d’Ancona, writing in est hour. He was the first main- opposed the war. Those of us the Evening Standard, explained why stream party leader to oppose present will never forget the Charles Kennedy’s use of humour British military action since debate in parliament when he and his willingness to step outside Hugh Gaitskell resisted the was denounced – mainly from the more conventional formats Suez campaign in 1956. He the Conservative side – for was such an important asset to the spoke eloquently and resolutely treachery and treason, among Liberal Democrats, a third party against Blair’s plans in the Com- the more printable accusa- struggling constantly for public mons. He addressed a ‘Stop the tions. He showed political cour- attention: War’ rally of a million people in age and good judgement in ’s Hyde Park. He com- sticking to a position that was Though his ‘chatshow Charlie’ plained that Britain was ‘being ultimately vindicated.19 persona – most vividly appar- bulldozed into a war not of our ent on choosing and not – on the basis The Economist captured more faith- – was interpreted by some as of the evidence so far – vital to fully than most papers the temper evidence of unseemly frivol- national interests’. of the times, and the qualities that ity, it was no such thing. Ken- It was a stance that won the Kennedy displayed. nedy grasped instinctively Lib Dems many new supporters that communication between and one that was seen by them He was perspicacious too, and at the political class and those to be vindicated by subsequent times bloody tough. His opposi- they represented was break- events. It also proved to be the tion to the 2003 Iraq war, pre- ing down, and that humour high-water mark of Kennedy’s sented in a packed and hostile and humanity were essential political career.18 House of Commons, against catcalling from both Labour and Tory MPs, exhibited all these qualities. His critics called him an opportunist, because the threatened war was, unusually in belligerent Britain, unpopular. Yet, in their hearts, they knew that his opposition to the war was based on principle; it also turns out to have been right.20

There was considerable support within the Liberal Democrats for the position that Charles took. The September 2002 Liberal Democrat conference had voted to support any military intervention only as Charles Kennedy a last resort and under a clear UN with Patsy mandate, and only after a debate Calton, candidate and vote in Parliament. There were and later MP for also internal pressures on him to Cheadle, during take a stronger position against the the 2001 election war, as shown when the Federal campaign Executive voted unanimously that

8 Journal of Liberal History 87 Summer 2015 writing about charles the party officially should take part ‘He was per- himself as a classical liberal – his Charles retained a set of in the February 2003 march. literary credo, The Future of Poli- beliefs which has enduring Writing in The Telegraph, Tim spicacious tics, is a treatise on all sorts of value but is no longer fashion- Stanley explained why the stance freedoms: from poverty, from able: a strong commitment to Kennedy took was so bold, and too, and at government, to innovate, and so progressive taxation and redis- how it delivered political benefits forth – he was not obviously one. tribution of income and wealth for the Liberal Democrats. times bloody He had more faith in the state and a belief that the country than most liberals and was so pre- deserved good public services Until 2003, it was convention in tough. His dictably to the left of them that it and, unapologetically, should be British politics that opposition was tempting to wonder why he asked to pay for them through parties back governments over opposition had not returned to Labour.24 taxation. questions of war … By criticis- to the 2003 The other strand in his polit- ing Iraq, Kennedy put his repu- The paper also asserted that: ical philosophy was liberalism. tation and his party’s reputation Iraq war, pre- Again this was often unfash- on the line. It was not only a As leader he positioned the Lib ionable. I recall that during the moral move but a smart one – sented in a Dems to the left of the Labour 2005 election when the Tories for it cemented in the public’s government by opposing the were whispering, very loudly, mind the impression that the Lib packed and introduction of university tui- ‘are you thinking what we are Dems were courageously inde- tion fees and Britain’s involve- thinking?’, Charles was quite pendent minded.21 hostile House ment in the Iraq war.25 unequivocal: ‘Yes, the immigra- tion of black and brown people Other examples were given of of Commons, It is quite correct that, as Labour has been good for Britain, eco- the prescience and political cour- moved towards the ‘centre ground’ nomically and culturally; and age that Charles Kennedy showed against cat- under Tony Blair and Gordon no, hanging and flogging doesn’t throughout his political career. Brown, Kennedy took the Liberal solve the crime problem.’27 The Times22 and The Telegraph23 calling from Democrats into territory easily recounted how, after the 1987 gen- perceived as ‘left of Labour’ by, for Charles brought together social eral election, Kennedy was the first both Labour example, promising free university democracy and liberalism in a way of the SDP’s five remaining MPs tuition and personal social care. In that was instinctive and not a little to break with the party’s leader, and Tory MPs, the run-up to the 2005 general elec- romantic. The Guardian was surely David Owen, and call for a merger tion, a defecting left-wing Labour correct when it described him as ‘a with the Liberals. He then helped to exhibited all MP, , along with liberal social democrat who knew negotiate the terms amid great acri- these quali- many like-minded people, joined what he believed and loved what he mony and charges of betrayal from the Liberal Democrats; Philip Col- knew’. 28 fellow Social Democrats. ties. His crit- lins of The Times (a former speech- It is, therefore, too easily forgot- Nearly every paper asserted that writer to Tony Blair) was not being ten that other elements of the lib- alone amongst Liberal Democrat ics called him too harsh when he suggested that eral heritage revived and flourished MPs Charles opposed going into electoral considerations also played under Charles’s leadership. There government with the Conserva- an oppor- their part.26 In 2005, the party per- were echoes of laissez-faire when tives in 2010. In fact, at the final formed especially well in university the 2001 general election mani- Parliamentary Party meeting that tunist … constituencies and areas with large festo contained numerous pledges approved the decision to go into Muslim populations and had hopes to reduce ‘red tape’. The ‘1p in the the coalition, although Kennedy Yet, in their of capturing a large section of the pound for education’, an iconic did express doubts, he abstained in grey vote. pledge from the 1990s, was dropped the final vote; six other MPs either hearts, they But the ‘left-wing’ and ‘popu- from party policy. Charles cannot abstained or were absent. In the list’ labels are too simplistic and fail be accused of being a knee-jerk stat- Commons, Charles voted against knew that his to do justice to Charles’s political ist or of being stuck in the past: sen- the rise in tuition fees and in pri- beliefs. Vince Cable’s observations ior colleagues were given licence to vate, he was critical of the coali- opposition are worth quoting at length: innovate. led a major tion’s welfare reforms. review of the Liberal Democrats’ to the war It is wrong to portray Charles approach to public services. There was based on as a socialist. He had come into were new attempts to be ‘tough’ A social democrat and a liberal parliament as a social democrat and disciplined on public spending The third theme of the tributes principle; it and remained one. Like me, he commitments, with mixed results. and obituaries, ‘what Charles Ken- joined the SDP in the early 1980s And, as Vince Cable recalled, The nedy stood for’, was less informed also turns out when Labour was anti-Europe, Orange Book, which presented many and less conclusive than the other anti-NATO and was looking ‘economic liberal’ viewpoints, was discussions. The Economist typified to have been back nostalgically to the era of published in 2004, albeit with the the views of many in casting him state control and trades union most lukewarm of endorsements as a left-leaning social democrat right.’ power. For those of us who were from the party leader. who instinctively favoured statist attracted to the ideals of social Here, then, was one of the para- policies. justice, and wanted an alterna- doxes of Charles Kennedy’s lead- tive both to Thatcher’s Conserv- ership: his roots were in the social What Mr Kennedy was for, atism and to what Labour then democrat tradition and he was a was sometimes harder to dis- offered, the SDP then the Lib communicator rather than a policy cern. Though he often presented Dems offered a way forward. wonk, but in the run-up to the 2005

Journal of Liberal History 87 Summer 2015 9 writing about charles general election, it was becoming Marine commando. Others Shortly after reshaping. But his reforming increasingly difficult to link the joked ‘while Paddy Ashdown social democratic and European party’s raft of ‘market liberal’ and gets up at 5am, Mr Kennedy polling day, instincts will live on if the next ‘spending’ proposals together into a gives the impression of only Lib Dem leader takes the party coherent, plausible programme that going to bed at that time’.31 Charles him- on the kind of political journey could be ‘sold’ to the electorate. that his late lamented colleague And it is often forgotten that, fairly The Times went to revive some self said that would have favoured.33 or not, many Liberal Democrats uncomfortable memories for many were disappointed at the results of Liberal Democrats: Charles attend- the Liberal Philip Collins warned that that election. As The Guardian obit- ing a formal meeting in 2001 with Charles’s brand of politics would uary recalled: Yasser Arafat ‘clearly the worse for Democrats be a dead end for the Liberal wear’; his absence from Gordon now had to Democrats. [The party] was perceived to Brown’s Commons announcement have fallen short. The antici- on whether Britain would join the ‘find a fash- For all Mr Kennedy’s consider- pated breakthrough in the Tory Euro, and Brown’s 2004 budget – able virtues as a man, the politi- marginals did not happen and, allegedly due to a ‘stomach bug’; ion and nar- cal example he gave his party far from becoming the main and the party’s spring conference is one it ought not to follow … opposition as some activists had that same year when he appeared rative’. But [He] sought to mobilise opposi- hoped, it remained a distant to be ill when giving the leader’s tion wherever he could locate third in the Commons. Kennedy speech. During an early-morning he seemed it. There are votes to be har- was blamed internally for con- press conference to launch the par- vested in British politics being centrating on trying to attract ty’s 2005 manifesto, he could not unsure as against things. The consequence Tory voters rather than broad- explain the details of the party’s of indulging oppositional sen- ening the party’s electoral appeal policy for a local income tax. This to what the timent, though, is that you are with more progressive electors was explained at the time as the defined only by what you are disillusioned with Labour, but result of a sleepless night caused by narrative against and not at all by what he was nevertheless re-elected his new-born son, Donald, but was you are for … leader shortly after parliament recognised by close colleagues as a should be. Charles Kennedy did what returned.29 sign of bigger problems.32 he did rather brilliantly, with style, wit and warmth and poli- Shortly after polling day, Charles tics would be better for more himself said that the Liberal Demo- A legacy for liberals people of his stamp. But what he crats now had to ‘find a fashion and For all his triumphs and tragedies, did can only take you so far. Mr narrative’30. But he seemed unsure Charles left an important legacy Kennedy’s Liberal Democrats as to what the narrative should be. for the Liberal Democrats, as they climbed all the way to the sum- try to come to terms with their mit of the mountain he set out near-annihilation at the 2015 gen- to climb. The trouble with that Tragic figure eral election. Even though the early is that when you reach the top Discussions of the 2005 general 2000s now seem like a different era, you cannot help but wonder at election and its aftermath led into his approach to political strategy the point.34 the fourth theme of the commen- and his deepest political convic- taries and obituaries: Charles’s tions could prove indispensable to Collins made a valid point. The shortcomings as a leader, his prob- the party as it tries to rebuild. The Liberal Democrats face long-term lems with alcohol and how they led Guardian leader made some percep- strategic dilemmas and these will to his deposition from the leader- tive observations about the choices need to be addressed. But Mat- ship in January 2006. Such was the and the opportunities now facing thew d’Ancona showed a clearer frame for The Times’ somewhat the Liberal Democrats: understanding of the party and its brutal obituary. The paper drew challenges when he suggested that mostly unfavourable comparisons A key decision facing the par- the Liberal Democrats should be between Charles’s leadership style ty’s next leader is whether to inspired by Charles Kennedy’s pas- and that of his predecessor. embrace or reject the legacy of sion as they begin their long, hard coalition. Mr Kennedy would journey back to credibility. Unlike his disciplined, some- have been fair in his judgment, what autocratic, policy-driven but on the rejectionist side. So what’s it to be: Kennedy or predecessor, Kennedy was laid- However, he would have seen Clegg? Campaigning passion or back, convivial and consensual opportunities too, if the party governmental competence? As … He consulted his fellow MPs is clear about its priorities and so often, the dichotomy is false. on speeches and spokesman- direction. He would have seen The future of the Lib-Dems ships. He bantered with jour- an uncertain Labour party, a depends upon the convergence nalists at press conferences. He frustrated Green movement, of the former’s romantic liberal- was not a strong leader in the a decentralising spirit, a fresh ism with the latter’s professional conventional sense, and lacked impatience with the electoral politics. Both are needed. UKIP a compelling political agenda. system and, above all, a battle for has become the ‘none-of-the Some colleagues dubbed him Britain’s place in Europe. It is a above’ party of protest – albeit ‘inaction man’ compared with great loss that Mr Kennedy will with no stability – and Labour Ashdown, a former Royal play no part in Britain’s political is at risk of drifting into its past

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as the voice of left-wing dissent It was left to The Economist – even 13 ‘Charles Kennedy obituary,’ The rather than the engine of centre- though it cast Charles as ‘a periph- Guardian, 2 June 2015. left government. The Lib-Dems eral figure’38 by the time he lost his 14 Martin Kettle, ‘Charles Kennedy: an must start almost from scratch. Commons seat – to lay down the authentic politician who rose above Thus begins the slow, painful gauntlet to Liberal Democrats, and the crowd,’ The Guardian, 2 June work of reconstruction: com- all supporters of Britain’s role in 2015. munity causes, micro-politics, Europe: 15 ‘Death of a Liberal,’ The Economist, 6 pavement-pounding, incremen- June 2015. tal renewal. Mr Kennedy was an outspoken 16 Matthew d’Ancona, ‘Kennedy’s leg- pro-European in a way that few acy will be to remind his party of the Crucially, d’Ancona pointed to a front-line political figures today real Liberal way’, The Standard, 3 June potential source of inspiration for are. Even at 55, he was one of the 2015. the Liberal Democrats in the diffi- youngest of the remaining poli- 17 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c593. cult years ahead. ticians with an enthusiasm for 18 ‘Charles Kennedy,’ The Times, 2 June Britain’s place in the EU based 2015. In the battle to prevent Brit- on idealistic rather than trans- 19 Vince Cable, ‘Charles Kennedy: he ain leaving the EU – a battle actional factors. He was due was left of Labour, maybe, but always in which Kennedy had hoped to play a prominent role in the a true liberal,’ The Guardian, 2 June to play a central role – the Lib- upcoming referendum on the 2015. Dems have a cause which should country’s EU membership; his 20 ‘Death of a Liberal,’ The Economist, 6 energise and revive them, a energy, popularity and heartfelt June 2015. struggle in which the nation’s ‘As the commitment to the cause would 21 Tim Stanley, ‘Opposing the Iraq War very place in the world is at have been a big asset to the ‘Yes’ was Charles Kennedy’s Finest Hour,’ stake.35 debate camp. His death makes it all the The Telegraph, 2 June 2015. more pressing that a new genera- 22 Charles Kennedy,’ The Times, 2 June This was a telling observation, becomes tion of pro-Europeans step for- 2015. because very few papers acknowl- ward and make the impassioned, 23 ‘Charles Kennedy – obituary,’ The edged what Vince Cable called dominated, wide-ranging case for Britain to Telegraph, 2 June 2015. Charles’ ‘bigger picture: … a remain in the union. A resound- 24 ‘Death of a Liberal,’ The Economist, 6 strong, but practical internation- as it no doubt ing mandate for such a vision at June 2015. alism centred on the European the polls would be a fitting polit- 25 ‘The laughing Cavalier,’ The Econo- project’. He recalled that from his will, by the ical epitaph for the late laughing mist (website), 2 June 2015. earliest days in parliament, Charles Cavalier of Lib Dem politics.39 26 Philip Collins, ‘Kennedy’s legacy had spoken up consistently and noise of sta- will lead Lib Dems nowhere,’ The strongly for full-blooded British tistical claim Neil Stockley is a former Policy Director Times, 5 June 2015. commitment to EU membership.36 for the Liberal Democrats and a long- 27 Vince Cable, ‘Charles Kennedy: he Nick Clegg told the Commons and counter- standing member of the Liberal Demo- was left of Labour, maybe, but always of his chagrin that Charles had been crat History Group. a true liberal,’ The Guardian, 2 June lost to the European cause: claim, I will 2015. 1 ‘You could never be sure if Charles 28 Charles Kennedy’s legacy: Lochaber I suspect many of us will feel miss the lyri- Kennedy was going to show up, says no more,’ The Guardian, 2 June 2015. his absence most keenly when Shirley Williams’, Independent, 2 June 29 ‘Charles Kennedy obituary,’ The our country decides in the next cal clarity of 2015. Guardian, 2 June 2015. year or two whether we belong, 2 ‘Charles Kennedy 1959-2015: A 30 Tania Brannigan, ‘Kennedy prepares or not, in the , Charles’s gifted, compassionate politician’, for the next step,’ The Guardian, 20 because, of all his convictions, Independent, 2 June 2015. May 2005. his internationalism endured belief that 3 ‘Obituary: Charles Kennedy, Scot- 31 Charles Kennedy,’ The Times, 2 June most strongly. He was a proud tish politician’, The Scotsman, 2 June 2015. highlander, a proud Scot and a our future 2015. 32 Ibid. man who believed in our com- 4 Alan Cochrane, ‘With Charles Ken- 33 ‘Charles Kennedy’s legacy: Lochaber munity of nations within the as an open- nedy’s death, a light has gone out in no more,’ The Guardian, 2 June 2015. United Kingdom, but he was Scottish and British Politics,’ The Tel- 34 Philip Collins, ‘Kennedy’s legacy also a lifelong believer that hearted and egraph, 3 June 2015. will lead Lib Dems nowhere,’ The our outward-facing character 5 ‘Leader: Remembering Charles Ken- Times, 5 June 2015. as a country is best secured by generous- nedy,’ New Statesman, 3 June 2015. 35 Matthew d’Ancona, ‘Kennedy’s leg- remaining at the heart of Europe spirited 6 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c593 acy will be to remind his party of the rather than retreating else- 7 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c604 real Liberal way’, The Standard, 3 June where. As the debate becomes country is 8 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c595 2015. dominated, as it no doubt will, 9 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c603 36 Vince Cable, ‘Charles Kennedy: he by the noise of statistical claim at stake and 10 Alastair Campbell, ‘Charles Kennedy was left of Labour, maybe, but always and counter-claim, I will miss – a lovely man, a talented politician, a a true liberal,’ The Guardian, 2 June the lyrical clarity of Charles’s must be great friend,’ Guardian, 2 June 2015. 2015. belief that our future as an open- 11 James Gurling, ‘The Charles Kennedy 37 HC Deb, 3 June 2015, c593 hearted and generous-spirited defended at I knew,’ The Telegraph, 5 June 2015. 38 Death of a Liberal,’ The Economist, 6 country is at stake and must be 12 ‘Charles Kennedy’s legacy: Lochaber June 2015. defended at all costs.37 all costs.’ no more,’ The Guardian, 2 June 2015. 39 Ibid.

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