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Charles Kennedy's poignant last article urged Liberal Democrats to fight back with 'gusto' after the 'night of the long sgian dubhs' Charles Kennedy's poignant last article urged Liberal Democrats to fight back with 'gusto' after the 'night of the long sgian dubhs'
(7 months later)
Among Charles Kennedy’s last public words came in a poignant article a day after the Liberal Democrats had lost all but eight of its seats in the House of Commons, including his own.Among Charles Kennedy’s last public words came in a poignant article a day after the Liberal Democrats had lost all but eight of its seats in the House of Commons, including his own.
Thanking his members of staff, he called on his party to “build with thought and care,” while also arguing “with gusto” in favour of Britain’s membership of the European Union. He promised to be “actively engaged myself”.Thanking his members of staff, he called on his party to “build with thought and care,” while also arguing “with gusto” in favour of Britain’s membership of the European Union. He promised to be “actively engaged myself”.
And finally he urged the Lib Dems to echo the spirit of the party’s opposition to the Iraq war to make sure the party’s voice is heard in the fight for the “two Unions” – the UK and the EU.And finally he urged the Lib Dems to echo the spirit of the party’s opposition to the Iraq war to make sure the party’s voice is heard in the fight for the “two Unions” – the UK and the EU.
“We did so over Iraq; we can do so again,” he wrote. “Let us relish the prospect.”“We did so over Iraq; we can do so again,” he wrote. “Let us relish the prospect.”
Thank you to the generation of voters, and then some, who put their trust in me. I have written further here: http://t.co/ULeQgTXcl7
In a final article for Liberal Democrat Voice, titled ‘The night of the long sgian dubhs’ – referring to the single-edged knife that is worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland kilt – he wrote:In a final article for Liberal Democrat Voice, titled ‘The night of the long sgian dubhs’ – referring to the single-edged knife that is worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland kilt – he wrote:
I am very fond of political history. If nothing else, we can all reflect on and perhaps tell our grandchildren that we were there on “The night of long sgian dubhs!”I am very fond of political history. If nothing else, we can all reflect on and perhaps tell our grandchildren that we were there on “The night of long sgian dubhs!”
I would very much like to thank my home team. They have been so energetic, dedicated and selfless to the task. Indeed, with them, I would like to thank the very many over the years who have made possible the previous seven successful general election campaigns locally.I would very much like to thank my home team. They have been so energetic, dedicated and selfless to the task. Indeed, with them, I would like to thank the very many over the years who have made possible the previous seven successful general election campaigns locally.
I spare a thought for, and this is true of so many constituencies, for members of staff. It is one thing for elected representatives to find themselves at the mercy of the electorate; it is quite something else for the other loyal and skilled people who, sadly, will in due course be searching for employment. I wish them well and stand ready to help. I am sure that their professionalism will stand them in good stead.I spare a thought for, and this is true of so many constituencies, for members of staff. It is one thing for elected representatives to find themselves at the mercy of the electorate; it is quite something else for the other loyal and skilled people who, sadly, will in due course be searching for employment. I wish them well and stand ready to help. I am sure that their professionalism will stand them in good stead.
It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities. I would particularly like to thank the generation of voters, and then some, who have put their trust in me to carry out that role and its responsibilities. Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities. I would particularly like to thank the generation of voters, and then some, who have put their trust in me to carry out that role and its responsibilities. Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 18 show all Charles Kennedy - his political career in pictures 1/18 1986 Charles Kennedy at the SDP conference in September 1986. He had become Britain's youngest MP three years earlier and the party later merged to become the Liberal Democrats. Getty Images 2/18 1987 Charles Kennedy attends the Joint Liberal Assembly, October 1987. Getty Images/Hulton Archive 3/18 1999 Charles Kennedy being congratulated by his girlfriend and future wife, Sarah Gurling, and mother Mary after being elected Lib Dem leader in 1999 PA 4/18 2001 Charles Kennedy greeting supporters at a rally before the 2001 general election, when he was the Lib Dem leader Getty Images 5/18 2002 Mr Kennedy at his wedding to Sarah Gurling, outside the House of Commons in London. The couple divorced in 2010. Getty Images 6/18 2003 Charles Kennedy speaks during a question and answer session at the Liberal Democrat Party annual conference in Brighton Getty Images 7/18 2004 Charles Kennedy and his then wife arrive at the British Academy Television Awards in London Getty Images 8/18 2005 Charles Kennedy unveiling a Lib Dem campaign poster ahead of the 2005 general election Getty Images 9/18 2005 Charles Kennedy with his then wife Sarah and new born son Donald James on 12 April 2005. He returned to the election campaign trail days later Getty Images 10/18 2005 Charles Kennedy celebrating the Lib Dems' gains after the 2005 general election, when the party won 62 seats Getty Images 11/18 2006 Charles Kennedy admitted his drink problem and called a leadership election in January 2006 Getty Images 12/18 2006 Charles Kennedy is canvassing in Dunfermline for a by-election a month after his resignation as Lib Dem leader Getty Images 13/18 2006 Sir Menzies Campbell, Lord Rennard and Simon Hughes give Charles Kennedy a standing ovation after his speech to the party conference in September 2006, his first since his resignation Getty Images 14/18 2007 Charles Kennedy and his predecessor Paddy Ashdown congratulating Nick Clegg on his election as Lib Dem leader in December 2007 AFP/Getty Images 15/18 2010 Charles Kennedy with Nick Clegg on the campaign trail ahead of the 2010 general election Getty Images 16/18 2011 Charles Kennedy launching the pro-AV campaign for the 2011 proportional representation referendum in Glasgow Getty Images 17/18 2014 Charles Kennedy with Danny Alexander and fellow Lib Dems campaigning for a 'no' vote in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 AFP/Getty Images 18/18 2015 Charles Kennedy campaigning with Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire in April ahead of the 2015 general election, where he lost his seat Getty Images
Locally, I wish my successor the very best. The next House of Commons will have to finalise the Smith Commission package, giving effect to the referendum “Vow” over further powers. I am saddened not to be involved in that process.Locally, I wish my successor the very best. The next House of Commons will have to finalise the Smith Commission package, giving effect to the referendum “Vow” over further powers. I am saddened not to be involved in that process.
However, from the perspective of the Highlands & Islands, the case for more powers being returned to us which have been lost to the Central Belt over the past five years, has to be heard as well.However, from the perspective of the Highlands & Islands, the case for more powers being returned to us which have been lost to the Central Belt over the past five years, has to be heard as well.
On the national picture, I am indeed sorry to learn of Nick’s decision but respect entirely his characteristic sense of personal, political and party principle.On the national picture, I am indeed sorry to learn of Nick’s decision but respect entirely his characteristic sense of personal, political and party principle.
The eligible candidates must reflect with care and collectively before we rush into the best way forward – out of this political debris we must build with thought and care.The eligible candidates must reflect with care and collectively before we rush into the best way forward – out of this political debris we must build with thought and care.
Nick, I do hope, will be able to contribute with gusto to the great European debate which is now looming.Nick, I do hope, will be able to contribute with gusto to the great European debate which is now looming.
It is one, as a Liberal Democrat, in which I wish to be actively engaged myself.It is one, as a Liberal Democrat, in which I wish to be actively engaged myself.
The next few years in politics will come down to a tale of two Unions – the UK and the EU. Despite all the difficult challenges ahead the Liberal Democrat voice must and will be heard.The next few years in politics will come down to a tale of two Unions – the UK and the EU. Despite all the difficult challenges ahead the Liberal Democrat voice must and will be heard.
We did so over Iraq; we can do so again. Let us relish the prospect.We did so over Iraq; we can do so again. Let us relish the prospect.