Inaugural Charles Kennedy lecture
THE INAUGURAL Charles Kennedy memorial lecture will be held later this month, to be given by a leading Liberal Democrat Lord.
Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, who is party leader in the House of Lords, will speak at the new, annual event on November 20 as part of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s Ideas Week.
Mr Kennedy, who died in June, served as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber from 1983 to 2015, and led the party from 1999 to 2006.
The title of the first lecture, being held at West Highland College UHI, Fort William, is: ‘A Highland Style of Politics: How Charles Kennedy’s Highland heritage shaped him, his politics and his life’.
It will debate whether or not, as residents of Lochaber, the people draw on the influence of a Highland culture and what this brings to them, as people, as a workforce and as politicians.
The lecture will be followed by a reception with an informal business and political networking session.
Willie Rennie, MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: ‘It is wonderful Lochaber Chamber has taken the lead by organising this lecture to remember Charles Kennedy. I know Charles greatly valued the good relationship with the Chamber.
‘Jim Wallace, our former deputy First Minister and now Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, will deliver a fascinating lecture.’
Anne Widdop, vice chairwoman of Lochaber Chamber, said: ‘ We felt it was a fitting and lasting tribute to Charles Kennedy to establish an annual lecture. I would like to think he would have approved and be delighted his legacy is celebrated with a lecture and debate hosted in Lochaber - a place he was passionate about and worked tirelessly for.’