Kennedy resigns as Liberal Democrat leader
Charles Kennedy bowed to the inevitable today and resigned as Liberal Democrat leader, two days after admitting a drink problem.
Mr Kennedy said the support he had received from activists and the public had not been matched among his own MPs.
Speaking at the party’s Westminster HQ, he bowed out of the leadership contest he called when he was forced into a public confession on Thursday night.
“In all this, the interests of our party have to come first,” he told reporters.
“That is where my personal, my political and my constitutional duty lies.
“So accordingly I’m announcing today that when nominations do open for the leadership of the party I will not be putting my name forward. I am standing down as leader with immediate effect.”
His statement came amid signs that activists as well as MPs had lost confidence in him.
Twenty five MPs issued a public ultimatum to him to stand down by Monday, or face mass frontbench resignations.
Mr Kennedy attempted to hang on, insisting he retained the “overwhelming” support of the party grassroots.
However, a preliminary opinion poll showed 65% of party members wanted him replaced.
Veteran Lib Dem MP and deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell is favourite to succeed Mr Kennedy.
Strong challenges can also be expected from party president Simon Hughes and home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten, who were both at the party’s Cowley Street HQ to hear the statement.
Education spokesman Ed Davey, one of the organisers of the ultimatum to Mr Kennedy to quit, may also stand.
Work and Pensions spokesman David Laws, former MEP Nick Clegg, and ex-London mayoral candidate Susan Kramer are outsiders.
Mr Kennedy said his successor should be appointed as soon as possible to fight the May local elections, and pledged his support as ``a loyal backbench Liberal Democrat MP''.
There were “serious internal political issues to address further and to resolve”, he warned.
However these were not “irreconcilable” and the new leader would inherit a party with the largest number of MPs for 80 years, he said.
“We are established as serious players in the changing reality which is three-party politics across Britain.
“I believe that to be a good inheritance and a great opportunity.
“One in which I look forward to continuing to play my party.”
As Mr Kennedy arrived back at his London home with his wife Sarah Gurling she said: “I’m very proud of him, both personally and for what he has achieved for the party.”
The party's Northern Ireland spokesman, Lembit Opik, told Sky News: ``I'm really sad about it. I think, as you know, that he was the right man to do the job and he has been hounded out by people who didn't appreciate his qualities.''
Mark Oaten, the home affairs spokesman, said: “After all the pressure that Charles has had, that was a dignified, statesmanlike performance.”
Asked if he would run for the leadership, he said: “What I want to do is find the best way forward to unite this party.
“I need to speak to Ming and Simon and other contenders, and see if we can’t decide how best to move this party forward. It’s not a time for individual ambitions, we need to reunite this party.”
