New Nasty Party

Welsh Lib-Dem leader Lembit Opik has angrily accused fellow MPs of "the political equivalent of self-harming, which left deep scars" and a resentful party by forcing Charles Kennedy to quit. In a recent poll, 70 per cent of The-Latest members say Kennedy should should stay.



Opik said: "They (fellow MPs against Kennedy) have got what they wanted and we lose the most successful party leader we've had for 83 years." His strong words of criticism for the Lib-Dem parliamentary plotters who did in Kennedy are reflected by bloggers

Alyssa S, UK, said:

Interesting that the media allowed (new Conservative Party leader David) Cameron to say "It's private" when his drug problem came up, but were all over Kennedy's alcoholism. Drugs (especially cocaine) are very serious (as serious as alcoholism). Once you take coke you will do so again.
He added: "There are many deep scars and a lot of resentment, primarily among the membership, who are bewildered by what's happened."

Paul Haven, Milton Keynes:

Kennedy had to admit he was a alcoholic then had to resign. In both he delayed acting for rather too long. Re running past interviews where he denied there was a problem alert us to a familiar concern that politicians do not tell the truth. Its understandable, he is human and like most people I hope he stays off the sauce and continues to make a contribution to society.

Vic Power, Saffron Walden, UK:

The only surprise is that he deluded himself that he could run for the leadership re-election in the first place. His resignation is the first correct political decision he has made for a long time.
I do wish him luck, however, with his battle with alcohol.

Mentesnot Mengesha, London, UK:

It would have been appealed more sense to our view of our politicians, if the question would be more of substance i.e. whether Mr. Kennedy is able to perform his job or not; and whether his drinking habit hindered him to do so. Be it as it may, however, his crucifixion in the arena of public life will open a gate to see many of outright scandals of our politicians here and internationally.

Linda Lee, Chester, United Kingdom:

I think it is a bit harsh to criticise the LibDem MPs who say they cannot continue to work with Charles Kennedy. Anyone who has had to work with an alcoholic knows how difficult it is, and how the most compassionate colleagues usually end up resenting all the extra work and the cover-ups they are forced into doing. Also, by covering-up you are not helping the alcoholic to face his/her problem.

Paul, Doncaster:

I feel really sorry for Charles Kennedy, despite his drink problem (don't we all have problems?!) he is perhaps one of the few honest and decent politicians we have. The MPs who signed the letter and stabbed him in the back should be ashamed. What makes these unknowns think they could do better! This action is an indication that they themselves can not be trusted & they & their media co-conspirators have done politics a serious injustice!


Karen Blakeley, Manchester:

The Lib Dems have had the best leader since 1920 so what do they do? They stab him in the back. Charles Kennedy has honesty and integrity written on his face, a very rare phenomenon in this day and age. What a thankless bunch of MPs to wash their dirty laundry in public, instead of in private. The Tories are probably laughing their socks off. Maybe the 25 MPs will reap their just reward when they lose their seats at the next General Election.

Andrew, Edinburgh:

Well for Charles, I am sorry, for the Lib Dem`s...sorry also. We have lost a good man. For Charles I hope that he can find the courage and strength to know that many of us admired him. For his sake I hope he finds the courage to fight alcohol and wish him well. It seem`s to me that we are willing to make allowances for speeding up Visa`s but when a man is honest enought to reveal his tru side we gun him down.......all the best to him and I for one hope to see him again........


Chris B, Birmingham:

Oh yes, roll out the usual "they've stabbed him in the back, I'll never vote for them again" crowd. Am I alone in detecting the whiff of organised posting campaigns by rival organisations? In any case, I recall similar occurrences in the Tory (Thatcher, Duncan Smith) and Labour (Foot and Kinnock) parties - and I can say with some certainty that I will NOT be voting for them.

Christian, Southend:

After observing Kennedy's demeanour during his press conference I can only say that the LD 's have lost a good leader and a possible PM. I used to support Labour on principle, switched to the LibDems at the last general election because of their stance on the war in Iraq - can anyone suggest a principled, honest political party I can vote for now - the three alternatives of Bliar, the Brutus gang and Tory boy hold no real appeal...

Sharon Irvine, London, UK:

I feel completely disgusted that members of the party I voted for in the last election would resort to playground tactics to oust Kennedy. In a time where the party should be rallying together and supporting their leader they resort to bullying and pouting.
Not the behaviour of the party I chose to support.

Linda Frampton, Pembrokeshire:

Mr Kennedy tried his best and ultimately it didn't go his way. Hats off to him and I hope he continues to recover and focus on the positives this experience will bring.He has a young child to bring up and he needs to be a good role model.
Good comes from bad!
Keep your head up Charles and good luck.
xx

Steve Godfrey, USA:

I feel sorry for Charles. This is an ignomous exit for a capable and successful leader. However, he has obviously brought this on himself. The fact that it has come to this, with the grubby antics of his colleagues and the media, shows the sheer scale of this problem and the desperation of others to force him out. I think most people will be disgusted at the most undemocratic way in which this has been done. LibUndems indeed.

G Harrison, Stockport:

If a person presumes to be a leader - then he has to be in a position whereby he can make decisions at all times. A drink problem will rule that out, so yes it was right for Mr Kennedy to resign

Ethel, Peterborough:

Unfortunately, Charles Kennedy had to resign. The leadership election may now be contested by MPs who were advised by Charles Kennedy that he was an alcoholic in 2004 and were complicit in a deceit of the electorate in last year's General Election Campaign.

Being involved in that deceit was bad for Charles Kennedy and bad for the electorate who have every right to feel cheated. The only people it was good for were those in the know who protected their own careers.