MP who opposed Iraq war

1959-2015

CHARLES KENNEDY, a former leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK whose career was marked by success and tragedy, was found dead on Monday at his home in Scotland. He was 55. His family said an autopsy had shown that Kennedy was killed by a major haemorrhage brought on by his alcoholism.

Kennedy, a popular and unpretentious politician who led the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006 and who opposed Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War, resigned as head of the party after admitting that he had a drinking problem.

He did not abandon political life, however, and represented a constituency in the northwest of Scotland until he lost the seat last month to the Scottish National Party.

Under the leadership of Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats were devastated in last month’s election, losing 49 of the party’s 57 seats.

“Charles’s untimely death robs Britain of one of the most gifted politicians of his generation,” Clegg said in a statement.

“He was one of the most gen- tle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous, too, not least when he spoke against the invasion of Iraq.”

Kennedy was first elected to parliament in 1983 at 23 and was the youngest member at the time.

He was garrulous and popular on TV, earning the nickname Chatshow Charlie. He led his party to great success in 2005, winning 62 seats in a general election, before stepping down in 2006.

Despite losing his parliamentary seat last month, Kennedy had hoped to be actively engaged in what he called “the great European debate which is now looming”, he wrote.

“The next few years in politics will come down to a tale of two unions: the UK and the EU,” he added.

“Despite all the difficult challenges ahead, the Liberal Democrat voice must and will be heard.”

Charles Peter Kennedy was born on November 25 1959 in Inverness, Scotland. He attended the University of Glasgow. His marriage to Sarah Gurling ended in divorce. He is survived by a son, Donald. — © NYTimes.com