Charles Kennedy RIP

[Moulin Yarns]

Sad news to hear that Charles Kennedy has died. Regardless of your politics, he was intelligent and a good orator.

Didn't have his problems to seek, but he will be sadly missed.

[Scorrie]

Agree 100%. Very sad to hear this news. One of the better politicians we have had and seems to have been a really nice guy as well. RIP

[Scottie]

Very sad news this morning. A fine man as well as a politician.

Only 55 years young. RIP Charles.

[The Harp Awakes]

Charles always came across as witty, skilful and caring politician, but above all else seemed a thoroughly decent bloke.

Very sad news.

RIP

[ronaldo7]

Very sad news this morning.

Charles Kennedy was an outstanding politician. He lost his father during the recent election and leaves his wife and very young son.

My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

RIP

[BroxburnHibee]

Sad news.

[Lucius Apuleius]

Sad indeed. One of the good guys in politics.

RIP Charles.

[Pretty Boy]

Jeezo. He's obviously been struggling for a while now but still a shock.

He came across as a decent man and a decent politician.

[snooky]

Charles was one of the few good guys in politics. Sad news.

[wpj]

A very moving tribute here:
http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2015/06/02/charles-kennedy-a-lovely-man-a-talented-politician-a-great-friend-with-a-shared-enemy/

[steakbake]

Still had so much to give. Very sad.

[SanFranHibs]

And anyone who spoke out loudly and vehemently against the Bush/Blair Iraqi war deserves our respect. Too young.

[Mr Grieves]

Opposed the Iraq war and the Tory-Lib dem coalition.

A good guy who stood by his principles.

[Stranraer]

Gutted to wake up to this news this morning. I had a lot of time for Charles Kennedy, my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[Future17]

A very moving tribute here:
http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2015/06/02/charles-kennedy-a-lovely-man-a-talented-politician-a-great-friend-with-a-shared-enemy/

That is very moving - a nice balance between the personal and professional.

Also seems to allude to the role that alcohol may have played in his passing. Very sad. RIP.

[PatHead]

One of the few MPs who lived up to the title Honourable. Stood for what he believed.

RIP

[lucky]

Sad news, one of the few MPs who put country before party. He was going to be missed as an MP but his families loss will be huge. RIP Charlie

[Hibernia&Alba]

He voted against going into coalition with the Tories and he spoke against the Iraq war. He always seemed compassionate and fair. He had his battle with the booze and it seems it's a battle he lost, sadly. I'm genuinely saddened to hear of his death at just 55; he had so much more to give. Condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time.

[heretoday]

For someone who had a "battle with the booze" he did pretty well in his career, rising to the top of his party and holding his seat for decades.

He always seemed to be genial and relaxed but we are told he was inwardly shy and plagued by nerves - hence the drink I suppose.

Did he have a heart problem or was his death liver-related?

[Pretty Boy]

For someone who had a "battle with the booze" he did pretty well in his career, rising to the top of his party and holding his seat for decades.

He always seemed to be genial and relaxed but we are told he was inwardly shy and plagued by nerves - hence the drink I suppose.

Did he have a heart problem or was his death liver-related?

My initial reaction on hearing was suicide, as horrible a thing as that is to speculate.

A guy who has spent 32 of his 55 years serving his party and constituents is rejected by them, not long separated from his wife and with a known struggle with alcohol. It doesn't' take a huge leap of faith...

Whatever the cause it's terribly sad news and it's tragic he's not around to see just how highly thought of he was.

[Sergey]

My initial reaction on hearing was suicide, as horrible a thing as that is to speculate.

A guy who has spent 32 of his 55 years serving his party and constituents is rejected by them, not long separated from his wife and with a known struggle with alcohol. It doesn't' take a huge leap of faith...

Whatever the cause it's terribly sad news and it's tragic he's not around to see just how highly thought of he was.

I'm with you, S. My first thought when I heard the news was suicide. The 'no suspicious circumstances' is a normal disclaimer from the Old Bill when a suicide note has been left.

The alternative is he was on instruction from the medics to cease drinking with immediate effect - but by watching the pictures of him canvassing pre-election, he didn't look like an alcoholic on his last legs.

Whatever - it's a shame.

[Stonewall]

My initial reaction on hearing was suicide, as horrible a thing as that is to speculate.

A guy who has spent 32 of his 55 years serving his party and constituents is rejected by them, not long separated from his wife and with a known struggle with alcohol. It doesn't' take a huge leap of faith...

Whatever the cause it's terribly sad news and it's tragic he's not around to see just how highly thought of he was.

Recently lost his father too PB.

Police did say there were no suspicious circumstances.

Very sad to hear this. Was an admirer of Kennedy's for many years. Still had a lot to offer I think and didn't deserve to lose his Westminster seat.

RIP.

[Stax]

Sad news indeed, some off the pygmies posturing as politicians would do well to take a leaf out of his book. Deeply flawed as most of us are, but had to live out his demons in public. Politics a poorer place today whatever your persuasion.