SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Tributes to former LibDem leader Charles Kennedy

FORMER Yeovil MPs David Laws and Paddy Ashdown have today (Tuesday, June 2, 2015) paid tribute to former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy who has died at the age of just 55.

It was announced early today that Mr Kennedy had died at his home in Scotland. Currently the cause of death has yet to be confirmed, but according to police it is not believed to be suspicious (writes Steve Sowden, of the Yeovil Press).

Mr Kennedy had been a LibDem MP from 1983 up until last month’s General Election when, along with many other MPs from his party including Yeovil’s David Laws, he lost his seat.

Mr Kennedy had served as LibDem leader from 1999 until 2006 and it coincided with Mr Laws winning the first two of his three General Election victories for the Yeovil Constituency in 2001 and 2005.

Mr Laws told the Yeovil Press this morning: “I am very sad indeed to hear the news of the death of Charles Kennedy.

“Charles was LibDem leader when I was first elected as MP and he was always very kind, generous and supportive of me.

“Charles will be remembered politically for leading the opposition to the Iraq War, and for his strong commitment to Britain’s place in the European Union.”

Mr Laws added: “I will particularly remember Charles for his wit, for his mischievous smile when sharing some private or public joke, and for his decent and principled approach to public life.”

PHOTOS - TOP AND RIGHT: Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy who has died at the age of just 55.

Lord Ashdown, who had been the LibDem leader before Mr Kennedy, told the BBC that it was “tragic and shocking” news.

I had the opportunity to interview Charles Kennedy on a visit to Yeovil when he was leader of the LibDems in the early 2000s and he had come down to support new MP David Laws.

I found Mr Kennedy a very likeable and approachable chap….but it wasn’t until the interview had finished and I was walking back to my office that I realised I’d been calling him Nigel throughout (as in Nigel Kennedy – the acclaimed violinist!).

I suddenly realised that Mr Kennedy hadn’t been smiling during our meeting because of him liking my questioning, but he was actually chuckling away to himself inside at my obvious faux pas.

It was no such surprise to me to find that Mr Kennedy became a regular pundit on TV show Have I Got News for You and that he became nicknamed Chat Show Charlie because of his likeable personality.

Tributes have flowed in locally in the wake of Mr Kennedy’s death.

Jon Gleeson, a former member of Yeovil Town Council and South Somerset District Council, speaking on social media, said: “Shocked. A towering figure for liberalism in this country who inspired many, including myself to realise what is worth fighting for in this world.

“One of the best public speakers Britain was blessed with too. Such a tragedy.”

Cllr Sam Crabb, of Somerset County Council, also speaking on social media, added: “A great loss. Charles was passionate about Europe and we will all miss his input to the Referendum debate.”

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