The Right Honourable  Charles Kennedy MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
In office 9 August 1999 – 7 January 2006
Preceded by	Paddy Ashdown
Succeeded by	Menzies Campbell
Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Ross, Skye and Inverness West (1997-2005)
In office 5 May 2005 – present
Preceded by	new constituency
Majority	14,249 (43. The Right Honourable (abbreviated as The Rt Hon) is an Honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. The Liberal Democrat members elect the United Kingdom Liberal Democrat leader. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Jeremy John Durham Ashdown Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941 commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician Ross Skye and Lochaber is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom ( Westminster) Ross Skye and Inverness West was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2005 Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 8%)
Born	November 25, 1959 (1959-11-25) (age 48) Inverness, Scotland
Political party	(1) SDP (2) Liberal Democrats
Alma mater	University of Glasgow
Religion	Roman Catholic
Website	www.charleskennedy.org.uk

Charles Peter Kennedy (born 25 November 1959) is a British politician. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Inverness (Inbhir Nis iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ is a city in northern Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. This is about the UK Social Democratic Party which existed between 1981 and 1988 The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval The University of Glasgow (Oilthigh Ghlaschu was founded in 1451 in Glasgow, Scotland and along with its contemporary institutions the University of St Andrews Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes place in the framework of a Constitutional monarchy, in which the Monarch is Head

From 9 August 1999 until 7 January 2006, he was the leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third largest political party in the United Kingdom. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. Brief history and overview Prior to the mid-19th century Politics in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

In the 1983 General Election he stood for the Ross, Cromarty & Skye constituency, then held by the Conservative MP and Minister, Hamish Gray. Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 Ross Cromarty and Skye was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 to 1997 James Hector Northey Gray Baron Gray of Contin, PC DL, ( 28 June 1927 &ndash 14 March 2006) known as Hamish Gray In a shock result, Kennedy was elected (for the SDP): at 23, he became the youngest MP in the House of Commons. Ambitious and popular, he quickly emerged as a potential party leader. In 1994, by which time the SDP and the Liberal Party had merged, he became President of the Liberal Democrats - a position he held for four years. In 1999, on the resignation of Paddy Ashdown, Kennedy was elected party leader. Jeremy John Durham Ashdown Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941 commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a

He took the party through two General Elections. However, he faced criticism for his laid-back leadership style, and there was considerable speculation regarding his alcohol consumption. From December 2005, some within the party were questioning his leadership and calling for a leadership election. On 5 January 2006, Kennedy was informed that ITN would be reporting that he had received treatment for a drinking problem. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ITN ( Independent Television News) is a major news and content provider with headquarters in the United Kingdom. Kennedy decided to pre-empt the broadcast and admit his drinking problem openly. He called a leadership election at the same time, stating that he intended to stand. The admission of a drinking problem seriously damaged his standing within the parliamentary party. As support for him amongst this key group ebbed away, Kennedy resigned as leader on 7 January, saying that he would not be standing in the leadership election. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell took over as interim leader and was elected as leader on 2 March 2006. Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Member of Parliament 2.1 Leader of Liberal Democrats 2.2 Resignation and backbenches 3 Rector of University of Glasgow 4 Personal life 5 Bibliography 6 References 7 External links 8 Offices held

Early life

Born in Inverness, Scotland, and raised as a Roman Catholic. Inverness (Inbhir Nis iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ is a city in northern Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Charles Kennedy was educated at Lochaber High School, in Fort William. District of Lochaber Fort William ( Scottish Gaelic: An Gearasdan, "The Garrison" is the largest town in the highlands of Scotland, now that Inverness There, he was known for taking part in the school's mock elections that ran at the same time as the real elections.

Kennedy went on to study for a Master of Arts degree in Politics and Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. A Master of Arts in Scotland is an academic degree in Humanities and Social sciences awarded by the Ancient universities of Scotland – Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language The University of Glasgow (Oilthigh Ghlaschu was founded in 1451 in Glasgow, Scotland and along with its contemporary institutions the University of St Andrews At university, he became politically active, joining the Dialectic Society (a debating club), but he was not a member of the Labour Club. The Glasgow University Dialectic Society, re-instituted in 1861, is a student society at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, committed to the promotion He was elected president of Glasgow University Union (GUU) and won the British Observer Mace university debating award. Glasgow University Union ( GUU) is one of the largest and oldest students' unions in the UK serving students of the University of Glasgow since 1885 The John Smith Memorial Mace (known between 1954 and 1995 as the Observer Mace) is the foremost student debating competition in the Islands of the GUU was the last all-male student union in the UK; during his time on the board it is claimed that Kennedy opposed admitting women as members - he has personally denied this. Shortly after, he joined the Social Democrats (SDP). This is about the UK Social Democratic Party which existed between 1981 and 1988

Upon graduation in 1982, he went to work for BBC Highland as a journalist, and later received a Fulbright Fellowship. Journalism is the profession of writing or communicating formally employed by publications and broadcasters for the benefit of a particular Community of people The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of grants for international educational exchange for scholars educators graduate This allowed him to carry out research at Indiana University in the United States, on the speeches and writings of Roy Jenkins. Indiana University is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Roy Harris Jenkins Baron Jenkins of Hillhead OM PC ( 11 November 1920 &ndash 5 January 2003) was a British

Member of Parliament

While studying in America he also received the Social Democratic Party (SDP) nomination for the Scottish seat of Ross, Cromarty and Skye, which he went on to win in 1983, becoming the youngest sitting Member of Parliament. This is about the UK Social Democratic Party which existed between 1981 and 1988 Ross Cromarty and Skye was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 to 1997 Baby of the House is the unofficial title given to the youngest member of a Lower house or Upper house. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. He has retained the seat and its successor, Ross, Skye and Inverness West, at five subsequent general elections. Ross Skye and Inverness West was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2005 He is the Liberal Democrat MP for the seat which replaced it in 2005, Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

In the late 1980s the SDP and the Liberal Party, which had been co-operating in the SDP-Liberal Alliance, merged to form the Social and Liberal Democratic Party, later renamed the Liberal Democrats. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s and a third party The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance of the Social Democratic Party (SDP and the Liberal Party in the United Kingdom that operated Kennedy was the only one of the five SDP MPs to support the merger from the outset.

Kennedy served as a frontbencher for the Lib Dems in a variety of posts, including social security, agriculture and rural affairs, health, Scotland and Europe. Social security primarily refers to a Social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions including poverty old Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture Rural areas can be large and isolated (also referred to as "the country" and/or "the countryside over the course of time Health is a state of complete physical mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in He was also party president for four years, between 1990 and 1994.

Leader of Liberal Democrats

On 9 August 1999, Charles Kennedy was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats after the retirement of Paddy Ashdown; he beat Jackie Ballard, Malcolm Bruce, Simon Hughes and David Rendel. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Jeremy John Durham Ashdown Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941 commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a Jackie Ballard (born 4 January[[ 953]] has been a politician and journalist in the United Kingdom. Malcolm Bruce, MP (born November 17, 1944) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat Politician. Simon Henry Ward Hughes (born 17 May 1951) is a British politician and Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Southwark David Digby Rendel (born 15 April 1949) is a British politician He won 57% of the transferred vote under the Alternative Vote system (Simon Hughes, the runner-up, won 43% of the vote). Instant-runoff voting ( IRV) is a Voting system used for single-winner elections in which voters have one vote and rank Candidates in order of

Kennedy's style of leadership differed from Ashdown's, being regarded as more conversational and "laid back". Although he has been dismissed as "Chatshow Charlie" by some observers, as a result of his appearances on the satirical panel game Have I Got News for You, opinion polls showed him to be regarded positively as a party leader and potential Prime Minister by a significant fraction of the British electorate. Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human A panel game is a Game show, particularly popular in the United Kingdom, in which a panel of celebrities compete — either in teams or individually Have I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. An opinion poll is a survey of Public opinion from a particular sample. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom He had made many appearances on HIGNFY prior to his election as leader; and subsequently became the first serving leader of one of the three main parties to appear on the show. He then went on to guest as a host of it.

Kennedy maintained the long-standing aspiration for his party to break through to the status of official opposition. Loyal opposition is the concept that one can be opposed to the actions of the government or Ruling party of the day without being opposed to the constitution of the In his first major campaign, the 2001 general election, the Liberal Democrats improved their share of the vote to 18. Results |} Total votes cast 26368204 All parties with more than 500 votes shown 3%, 1. 5% more than in the 1997 election. Results The election was fought under new boundaries with a net increase of eight seats compared to the 1992 election Although this was a smaller share than the 25. 4% the SDP/Liberal Alliance achieved in 1983, the Lib Dems won 52 seats compared to the Alliance's 23. Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 In his last General Election as leader, in May 2005, the Liberal Democrats won 62 seats, their greatest number of seats since the 1920s, gaining 22. 1% of the vote.

Kennedy has also spoken out in favour of lowering the British drinking age from 18 to 16, as well as supporting lowering the voting age from 18 down to 16. The legal drinking age is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of Children and Youth to Alcoholic beverages Legal drinking ages vary from

Kennedy, along with his "election guru" Lord Rennard, targeted the Lib Dems' campaigning on a limited number of seats in such a way as to turn a lower level of national support into a greater number of Parliamentary seats. Christopher John "Chris" Rennard Baron Rennard (born 1960) is a British Liberal Democrat Politician. He extended this strategy at the 2005 General Election targeting the seats held by the most senior and/or highly regarded Conservative MPs, dubbed a "decapitation" strategy, with the expectation that without these "key" figures, the Conservatives would be discredited as the Official Opposition allowing Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats to claim that they are the "effective Opposition".

However, this strategy is widely seen to have failed. At the 2005 General Election, the Liberal Democrats failed to unseat leading Conservatives such as the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Oliver Letwin, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, Shadow Secretary of State for the Family Theresa May and the Leader of the Opposition Michael Howard. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Oliver Letwin (born 19 May 1956, Hampstead) is the British Member of Parliament for West Dorset, Chairman of the Policy The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office David Michael Davis (born 23 December 1948 is a British Politician who is the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the constituency of Theresa Mary May (born in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, on 1 October 1956 as Theresa Mary Brasier) is a British The Leader of the Opposition (sometimes known as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons) in the United Kingdom is the politician who leads Michael Howard QC (born 7 July 1941 is a British Politician, a Conservative MP since the 1983 General Election for the constituency of The biggest "scalp" the Liberal Democrats managed to claim was that of the Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins in Westmorland and Lonsdale. Education Secretary can refer to Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Scotland Principal Secretary for Higher Education Timothy William George Collins, CBE, (born 7 May, 1964) is a British politician Westmorland and Lonsdale is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This was one of only three seats the Liberal Democrats won from the Conservatives, the others being Solihull and Taunton. Solihull is a Borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Taunton is a County constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the Lib Dems also hoped to capture marginal Labour seats, attracting Labour voters (particularly Muslim voters) who were dissatisfied because of the invasion of Iraq; the party had succeeded with this tactic in by-elections, taking Brent East and Leicester South from Labour. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant Brent East is a parliamentary constituency in North West London. Leicester South is a Borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Party did succeed to some extent in this aim, winning particularly in student areas such as Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester, but did not see the breakthrough some expected in areas with large Asian populations, even losing Leicester South.

In the 2005 election the party succeeded in regaining the seat of Ceredigion, its first gain from the Welsh Party Plaid Cymru. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Plaid Cymru (plaɪd ˈkəmri The Party of Wales often referred to simply as Plaid) is a Political party in Wales. Overall Kennedy's party achieved a total of 62 seats, their highest number since 1923 with 22% of the overall vote.

In the wake of the General Election, Kennedy's leadership came under increased criticism from those who felt that the Liberal Democrats could have surged forward at a time when, arguably, the Official Opposition, the Conservative Party, were in a relatively weak position. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Many pointed the finger of blame at Kennedy for failing to widen the Party's appeal while others, like the former Deputy Chairman of the Federal Liberal Democrat Party, Donnachadh McCarthy, resigned from the Party citing the party's shift to the right of the political spectrum under Kennedy in pursuit of Conservative votes. Under the party's rules, a leader has to stand for re-election within a year of a general election. Kennedy handed out the ballot papers to the parliamentary party within days of the 2005 election, leaving no time for anyone to mount a challenge, and allowing him to be re-elected unopposed. There was much speculation at the time as to whether he would have survived a challenge.

In late 2005, the leadership speculation was renewed, with the journalist Andrew Neil claiming to speak "on good authority" that Kennedy would announce his resignation at the 2006 spring conference of the Liberal Democrats. Andrew Ferguson Neil (born 21 May 1949 Paisley, Scotland) is a Scottish Journalist and broadcaster. Kennedy's spokeswoman denied the report and complained against the BBC which had broadcast it. After the election of the "more moderate" David Cameron as Leader of the Conservative Party in December 2005, it was widely reported that senior members of the Liberal Democrats had told Kennedy that he must either "raise his game" or resign. David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966 is a British Politician and the current leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of Her Majesty's ^[1]

On 13 December 2005, the BBC's Political Editor, Nick Robinson, claimed that there were briefings against the leader, with members of his party unhappy at what they saw as 'lack of leadership' from Kennedy. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nicholas Anthony Robinson (born 5 October 1963 is the Political Editor of the BBC. A "Kennedy Must Go" petition was started by The Liberal magazine (a publication which has no affiliation to the Liberal Democrats) and allegedly had been signed by over 3,300 party members including 386 local councillors and two MPs by the end of 2005. The Liberal magazine is a quarterly literary and political publication "devoted to promoting liberalism around the world" ^[2] A 'round robin' letter signed by Liberal Democrat MPs rejecting his leadership received 23 signatures. The term round-robin describes correspondence to a single Address authored or signed by numerous individuals (as found in a Petition) ^[3]

Responses to Kennedy's statement focused on his previous denials of any problems with alcohol. As recently as the Jonathan Dimbleby programme on ITV1 on 18 December 2005 when asked "Has it been a battle to stay off the booze, have you had to have medical support in any way at all?" Kennedy replied "No, no, no, that is not the case, it is a matter on all fronts – if there's something my doctor really wants me to do over this holiday period as a matter of fact, is give up smoking and I think he's right". Jonathan Dimbleby, (born 31 July 1944, Aylesbury) is a British presenter of current affairs and Political Radio and This article deals with the ITV1 brand name as it is broadcast at present Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 2002, the journalist Jeremy Paxman claimed Kennedy was often drunk, and asked him if he drank privately "by yourself, a bottle of whisky late at night?". Jeremy Dixon Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is an English Journalist, Author and Television presenter. "No I do not," Kennedy replied. The BBC apologised to Charles Kennedy; Paxman refused to endorse the apology. In 2004, The Times published a 'clarification' over a report it had made stating Kennedy had not taken part in that year's budget debate due to excessive drinking. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. Budget (from French bougette, purse generally refers to a list of all planned expenses and revenues ^[4]

On 6 January 2006, Kennedy was informed that ITN would be reporting that he had received treatment for alcoholism, and called a sudden news conference to make a personal statement confirming the story. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ITN ( Independent Television News) is a major news and content provider with headquarters in the United Kingdom. He stated clearly that over the past eighteen months he had been coming to terms with a drinking problem, but has sought ongoing professional help. He told reporters that recent questions among his colleagues about his suitability as leader were partly as a result of the drinking problem, but stated that he had been dry for the past two months and would be calling a leadership contest to resolve the issues surrounding his authority once and for all. ^[5][6] It was later claimed that the source for ITN's story was his former press secretary turned ITV News correspondent, Daisy McAndrew. ITV News is the name given to news broadcasts on the British television network ITV. Daisy McAndrew (née Sampson) (born 1972 in London, England) is economics editor for ITV News. ^[7]

Resignation and backbenches

Following Kennedy's admission, a letter from twenty-five Liberal Democrat MPs, including nineteen frontbench members, was delivered to him. It stated that the signatories could no longer serve as front bench speakers under his leadership, or fill any vacancies, and gave a deadline of 9 January for him to make a decision before they resigned. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Despite a combative interview in The Independent at which Kennedy described a decision to resign as a "dereliction of duty", on 6 January a large number of senior Liberal Democrats stated that his position was untenable. The Independent is a British compact Newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly 's Independent News & Media. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Chris Davies, at that time the leader of Liberal Democrat Members of the European Parliament, described him as "a dead man walking". This article is about the British politician For the Australian cricketer see Christopher Davies (cricketer. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU A survey for BBC Newsnight found that more than half of Liberal Democrat MPs thought he should resign, and only 17 out of 62 MPs positively wanted him to stay, while 11 of his 23 frontbenchers wanted him to leave. For the CNN programme see NewsNight with Aaron Brown Newsnight is a British daily News analysis Among those who thought he should go were Norman Lamb and Andrew George, who had served as his Parliamentary Private Secretary, and Matthew Taylor, the chairman of his 1999 leadership campaign. Norman Peter Lamb (born 16 September 1957, Watford, Hertfordshire) is a politician in the United Kingdom. Andrew Henry George (born 2 December 1958 British Politician. A Parliamentary Private Secretary ( PPS) is a role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP by a senior minister in government or shadow Matthew Owen John Taylor (born 3 January 1963) is a politician in the United Kingdom.

At 3 pm on 7 January, Kennedy called a press conference where he announced that, whilst he was buoyed by the supportive messages he had received from grassroot members, he felt that he could not continue because of the lack of confidence of the parliamentary party. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Parliamentary group and parliamentary party are terms used to refer to the representation of a Political party or Electoral fusion of parties in a He said he would not be a candidate in the leadership election, and that he would stand down as leader "with immediate effect", with Menzies Campbell acting as interim leader until a new leader was elected. Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician He also confirmed in his resignation speech that he did not expect to remain on the frontbench, pledging his loyalty to a new leader "as a backbench" MP, but that he wished to remain active in the party and politics. The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest Political party in the United Kingdom. For other meanings see Backbench A backbencher is a Member of Parliament (MP or a legislator who does not hold governmental His leadership lasted slightly less than six years and five months. ^[8]

Campbell went on win the resulting leadership election and Kennedy subsequently gave his successor full public support. In the 2006 Liberal Democrats leadership election, Sir Menzies Campbell was elected to succeed Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third-largest ^[9]

Following his resignation Kennedy's first major political activity was to campaign in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, which the Liberal Democrats went on to win, taking a seat from Labour. The Dunfermline and West Fife By-election, in Dunfermline and western Fife, Scotland, was held on 9 February 2006 following ^[10]

On 22 June 2006, Kennedy made his first appearance in the national media after stepping down when he appeared on the BBC's Question Time. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Question Time is a topical Debate Television programme in the United Kingdom, based on Any Questions?. One of the questions on the show was about his possible return as leader, which he declined to rule out. ^[11]

On 4 August 2006, Kennedy hosted a documentary on Channel 4 about what he saw as the increasing disenchantment felt by voters towards the main parties in British politics due to their hesitation to discuss the big issues, especially at election time, and the ruthless targeting of swing-voters in key constituencies at the expense of the majority. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began He also contributed an article covering the same issues to The Guardian's Comment Is Free section. ^[12]

On 29 August 2006, The Times began serialising a biography of Kennedy, by journalist Greg Hurst. Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. The book claimed that senior Liberal Democrats, including present leader Sir Menzies Campbell, knew of Kennedy's drinking problem when he was elected leader in 1999 and subsequently kept it hidden from the public. Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician ^[13][14][15]

After Campbell resigned as Liberal Democrat leader on 15 October 2007, Kennedy said that it was "highly unlikely" that he would try to return as party leader, although he did not rule it out completely. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[16]

In September 2007, Charles Kennedy received unanimous support for the post of President of the European Movement in the UK, after the death of Sir Edward Heath. The European Movement is an international Lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and private individuals desiring to work towards the construction Sir Edward Richard George Heath, KG, MBE (9 July 1916 &ndash 17 July 2005 often known as Ted Heath, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ^[17]

Rector of University of Glasgow

In February 2008, Charles Kennedy won the election to become Rector of the University of Glasgow^[18] and was officially installed, succeeding Mordechai Vanunu, on 10 April 2008. The position of Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow is elected every three years by the students at the University of Glasgow. Mordechai Vanunu (מרדכי ואנונו born in Marrakech, Morocco on October 13 1954 is an Israeli former nuclear He won the election with 11% of the electorate's vote and a 46% share of the 5108 who voted under the alternative vote system, having been uniquely supported by not only his own Glasgow University Union, but also the Queen Margaret Union and Glasgow University Sports Association. Instant-runoff voting ( IRV) is a Voting system used for single-winner elections in which voters have one vote and rank Candidates in order of Glasgow University Union ( GUU) is one of the largest and oldest students' unions in the UK serving students of the University of Glasgow since 1885 This page is about one of the students' unions at the University of Glasgow, and not the students' union for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Personal life

In July 2002, Charles Kennedy married Sarah Gurling, the sister of his best friend, James Gurling. ^[19]

Reports of Kennedy's ill-health in 2003 at the time of crucial debates on Iraq and after the 2004 budget (his ill health meant he missed an entire budget speech)^[20] were linked to the rumours of alcoholism which were strenuously denied by himself and the party but which he subsequently admitted.

Sarah gave birth to their first child, Donald James Kennedy, at 12:14 am 12 April 2005, at St Thomas' Hospital, London. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS Hospital in Lambeth, London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Kennedy had been due to launch his party's manifesto for the General Election, which was subsequently delayed, with Sir Menzies Campbell taking temporary charge as acting leader and covering Kennedy's campaign duties. For the Roxy Music album see Manifesto (album. A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions often Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician During the manifesto launch on his first day back on the campaign trail after the birth, Kennedy struggled to remember the details of a key policy (replacing the Council Tax with a Local Income Tax) at an early morning press conference, which he later blamed on a lack of sleep due to his new child. Council Tax is the system of local Taxation used in England, Scotland and Wales to part fund the services provided by local government in each

In July 2007, Kennedy was informally spoken to by the British Transport Police after he breached the smoking ban on a train. The British Transport Police ( BTP) (Heddlu Trafnidiaeth Prydeinig is a Special police force empowered to police those railways and light-rail systems in A smoking ban in England, making it illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and enclosed work places in England, came into ^[21][22]

Bibliography

• The Future of Politics (2000) ISBN 0-00-710131-7 (hardcover) ISBN 0-00-710132-5 (paperback)
• Hurst, Greg Charles Kennedy: A Tragic Flaw Politico's Publishing Ltd (18 September 2006) ISBN 1-84275-176-X

Charles recently visitied Brighton College to open up a brand new history classroom. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

References

External links

• Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP official site
• Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
• ePolitix.com - Charles Kennedy
• TheyWorkForYou.com - Charles Kennedy
• The Public Whip - Charles Kennedy voting record
• Open Directory Project - Charles Kennedy directory category
• BBC News - Politics: Charles Kennedy profile 7 January 2006
• BBC News - Politics: Charles Kennedy: Life and Times 7 January 2006
• "The Pol Who Drank Too Much", Slate. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. com, January 11, 2006. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
• Kennedy 'plotting leadership comeback', Scotland on Sunday, 30 July 2006
• University of Glasgow Story
• Students interview Charles Kennedy about British Identity for Radiowaves (2008)

Offices held

Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Ross, Cromarty and Skye 1983–1997	Constituency abolished
	Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye and Inverness West 1997–2005
	Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye and Lochaber 2005–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Owen Carron	Baby of the House 1983–1987	Succeeded by Matthew Taylor
Party political offices
Preceded by Paddy Ashdown	Leader of the British Liberal Democrats 1999–2006	Succeeded by Menzies Campbell
Academic offices
Preceded by Mordechai Vanunu	Rector of the University of Glasgow 2008–present	Succeeded by incumbent

Persondata
NAME	Kennedy, Charles
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	politician
DATE OF BIRTH	1959-11-25
PLACE OF BIRTH	Inverness, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

Scotland on Sunday is a Scottish Sunday Newspaper, published in Edinburgh by The Scotsman Publications Ltd and consequently assuming Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Ross Cromarty and Skye was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 to 1997 Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 Results The election was fought under new boundaries with a net increase of eight seats compared to the 1992 election A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Ross Skye and Inverness West was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2005 Results The election was fought under new boundaries with a net increase of eight seats compared to the 1992 election Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Ross Skye and Lochaber is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom ( Westminster) Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Owen Gerard Carron (born February 1953 is an Irish republican activist and the former Member of Parliament (MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Baby of the House is the unofficial title given to the youngest member of a Lower house or Upper house. Matthew Owen John Taylor (born 3 January 1963) is a politician in the United Kingdom. Jeremy John Durham Ashdown Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941 commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the Sir Walter Menzies Campbell CBE QC (born 22 May 1941) commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British Politician Mordechai Vanunu (מרדכי ואנונו born in Marrakech, Morocco on October 13 1954 is an Israeli former nuclear The position of Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow is elected every three years by the students at the University of Glasgow. A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person Inverness (Inbhir Nis iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ is a city in northern Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

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