Nottingham politicians pay tribute as former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy dies aged 55.
Barbara Pearce, the Policy Officer for the Nottingham Liberal Democrats said he “Inspired the Liberal democrats”.
One of the most popular Liberal Democrat leaders, Kennedy, who led his party to its best-ever election result in 2005, died at his home in Fort William.
He had lost his Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituencies in last month’s general election to the Scottish National Party.
Kennedy was regarded by many as one of most important men in British politics. He led the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006.
In a statement released by his family, they said: “It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock, that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy.
Charles died at home in Fort William yesterday. He was 55. We are obviously devastated at the loss.
A statement from Charles Kennedy’s family.
Kennedy became the youngest sitting MP when he was elected in 1983, at the age of 23, which was the first general election in which the Social Democratic Party fought in alliance with the liberals.
Barbara Pearce from the Nottingham Liberal Democrats had the pleasure of working with Kennedy through many election campaigns.
“To know Charles personally was a privilege, and a great sadness now that I can’t speak to him, he was funny, self-deprecating, and there’s always a load of stories that go with him that I’ve been remembering all morning,” she said.
“His personal touch was what made him most effective, but his political understanding and values go right through him like a rock, he could spout liberal values right from the start.”
Video: Barbara Pearce talks about Kennedy’s political career.
Kennedy resigned as party leader in 2006, after he revealed that he was receiving treatment for a long standing problem with alcohol.
Barbara Pearce said that his troubles with drink never effected his work ethic.
“Like many alcoholics, he was able to hold a lot of drink quite well, so when we went out on occasion, we’d be drinking, but you’d never notice he was drinking to excess,” she said.
“I never saw that side of him personally, he always remained totally charming and funny and pleasant, I didn’t see him in black moods or behaving inappropriately.”
Video: Barbara on what made Kennedy a great leader
Many politicians and journalists have been paying their respects after hearing the news.
Prime Minister David Cameron claimed that politics has lost a man of ‘immense ability’. Whilst fellow former Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg said that on a good day Mr Kennedy had “more political talent in his little finger than the rest of us put together.”
No cause of death has been given but the police are not treating his death as suspicious.
