Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedywas a British Liberal Democrat politician, who was Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006 and a Member of Parliamentfrom 1983 to 2015, latterly for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth25 November 1959
discovered given history people politics puzzled south spread strong voters war wings
As I spread my wings in politics, I discovered many Thatcher voters down south who were the same kind of people who loathed her in Scotland. They were puzzled by the Scots' antipathy, given the Falklands war and the strong militaristic history of the Highlands and elsewhere.
again cast democrat episode liberal reputation restore vote
Cast your vote to restore Britain's reputation on the international stage. Vote Liberal Democrat if, like us, you say never again to an episode like Iraq.
votes
Fair votes - fundamentally - are about the rights and the interests of the people.
vote describe-me behalf
If you were to describe me as teetotal, on behalf of my constituency I'd have to sue; that would lose me every vote in the Highlands.
assembly both fairer involving national parliament votes
We have a Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, both elected by fairer votes - involving proportional representation.
age cared government longer matter member parliament people problems simply striving votes younger
During my campaign, people of my age and younger said consistently that they would not vote because their votes simply no longer matter and because no government or member of Parliament cared a whit about their problems and their striving for employment.
cast education investment liberal vote
If you want more investment in education and pensions, cast a vote for the Liberal Democrats.
depth hostility incumbent knocking local margaret minister particular second sheer struck tories towards
When I started knocking on Highland doors in May 1983, two things struck me more than any other. First was the sheer depth of hostility towards the Tories in general. Second was the particular hostility towards Margaret Thatcher and her local ministerial spear-carrier, energy minister and incumbent MP of 13 years' standing, Hamish Gray.
aftermath coalition fragment remarkable strike unilateral
It would be a tragedy if the remarkable international coalition against terrorism, successfully marshalled in the aftermath of 11 September, were to fragment over a unilateral U.S. strike against Baghdad.
context european imposition mean
'Federalism', in the context of political and media usage in Britain, has come to mean the creation and imposition of a European superstate, one centralised in Brussels.
public
Public perception of the Westminster arena, with all its posturings, does little to engender a sense of voter belief.
continue
Professionally I would say taking up my constituents' problems is something I continue to enjoy after 22 years as an MP.
sensible
Ours is a stable country. Ours is a sensible country. And ours is a fundamentally decent country.
huge listened people time understand
People have a huge desire to be listened to, for politicians to take the time to understand their problems.