Kennedy Drink Problems

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andrewb

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It turns out that amoung repeated calls for Mr Kennedys resignation from the leadership of the Lib Debs, he has had a drinking problem but since overcome this and has been free of alcohol for two months.. you can read the story in full here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4582930.stm

Heres a question though, if the Lib Dems do vote for a new leader, do YOU know any of the Lib Dem MP's other than Charles Kennedy?
 
Yes Menzies Campbell.

But only because his first name is pronounsed Ming.:)
 
Oh and David Alton and Simon Hughes, only because you don't pronounce their first name Ming.;)
 
Cyfr, Charlies drinkie poos aside.

As a young Conservative will you be voting for New Labour now they want more private health insurance involvement in the NHS, and yesterday David Cameron stated he wants just the opposite?

As a Tory the only place you can show your allegiance is by voting Labour, is it not?
 
Blair is right wing I'll agree, however people have ideas, and other people get them done. Mr Blair isn't one to get things done as the current state of things like the NHS show.. (Lets not go down the Thatcher route of argument again :p although Camerons in the same party, he's not the same person :))
And anyway.. Blair won't be up for re-election next time, it will be the ever-so-slightly-more-left Brown i'd imagine :p
 
Ok we'll do a swap.

This wooly socialist liberal will vote for the caring, sharing, gay friendly, women and lesbians first in selection procedures, Conservatives.

You can vote for Labour. The party that believes in free enterprise, private investment in the NHS, and the plight of middle classes in the Home counties.:)
 
To be honest Garinda the only left wing party in the house at the moment I can vote for is the Liberal party, (Scottish and Welsh Nationalists are left wing but unfortunately due to a geographical disenfranchise I am unable to vote for them).

The conservatives are floundering because they are having to find a new battleground as NEW Labour (not the labour party) have stolen their clothes.

Me, as a socialist, has been left homeless for the past 5 years.
 
I have to say that Charles Kennedy should be applauded for coming out and admitting what everyone suspected.......it was a brave thing to do.....though I think it has left him a trifle exposed.
 
I hope for his sake it was just plain trifle......I'm sure he will be under extra scrutiny now.....just to make sure he doesn't slip off the wagon.

Although he said he hasn't had a drink for two months the BBC disputed this, saying the in that time he had most certainly been seen the worse for drink.....though not on camera. I think the knives have been out for this man for some time.
 
I think personally he seems a very nice chap.

I don't think he has the charisma, or drive, to lead his party onwards and upwards, irrespective of his drinking.
 
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I agree Margaret I happen to work with a Lib-Dem councillor and he is worried if Kennedy goes as none of the others metioned have the panache to carry out the job.

Also I have to say getting rid of one of the most successful leaders your party has seen in almost a hundred years is a tad strange.:confused:
 
I can't think of anyone in the party who could be deemed as his successor.
He has certainly raised the profile of the party......and Yes he does seem to be a thoroughly pleasant chap.......maybe he needs to get a touch ruthless and unpleasant to win some friends.....that is the usual way things seem to be done in politics.
 
Stanaccy said:
The conservatives are floundering because they are having to find a new battleground as NEW Labour (not the labour party) have stolen their clothes.
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Does that mean that Labour have seen the error of their ways and decided to become Conservatives?
 

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Charlie Kennedy has a drink problem and has sought help. What's so terrible? Winston Churchill was a heavy drinker and all his war-time cabinet knew it. Perhaps if he had been totally sober, which he never was, he might not have been such a great war-leader.

Kennedy has, at least, done something about his problem and has had the guts to admit it. He's no Churchill but he isn't a disaster either. I think Menzes Campbell (it's actually pronounced Mingis - they call him Ming for short) is behind all this because he desperately wants to be the leader. It's probably some sort of complex about being called Ming.
 
Maybe his drinking gave him some pazaz for the commons. At least though goaded into it he eventually admitted a problem. More than can be said for some (teens).
 
Anyone who has followed politics in the last decade will know Kennedy's over foindness of wine is the worst-kept secret in Westminster.

Re: West Ender - His drink problem is significant because, unlike in Winston's time, we face apt legislation on things like licensing laws and binge drinking measures...and the press will always pounce on a (perceived) hypocritical leader.

I think a leadership election has come at the worst possible time for the party, with the local elections due in May. But at leas Kennedy is trying to be as transparent as he can.
 
the report i listened to said mr kennedy only came out!!! because an itv report was due to expose it big time,so it seems to me a case of heading it off rather than bravery.:D
 
He should do well in the elections if the number of people with a bevvy problem is as high as has been sugested. A man after their own heart.
;)
 
Dos it not scare one to think that, had the Liberals made a break through at the last election and formed a government,this drunken toad would have had his finger over the nuclear button?

Apart from that, its time to update the old adage - when its comes to the Kennedys' in politics, never get in a car or a bar with 'em.
 
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