Charles Kennedy cut his political teeth as a young man in debating societies. This was the genesis of his natural easy style and gave him the mental agility to deal with rhetoric and banter. It also gave Kennedy his edge – and his humanity. He will be sorely missed by most of us, whatever our political leanings.
We have a lot to learn from a man who faced his demons head on and then showed them to the world. His biography by Greg Hurst was called A Tragic Flaw and Kennedy never ran away from the truth of his condition. Like a lot of public figures, he rose above an addiction to alcohol that in the end finished his political career to become something even more important – a good human being. Kennedy never sought perfection and this ruddy faced, stockily built, red headed man had far more charisma than many of his political opponents. When the drink beat him, he got out and I applaud him for that.
In comedy we are often faced with an image of the sad clown and as culture is a reflection of what is really going on in society, comedy and tragedy remain closely intertwined. In life Kennedy was in touch with his personal tragedy and bore it well. He could laugh at himself when others may have felt it was inappropriate to do so.
For this I will remember Kennedy as a brave man, one who fought for what he believed in and wore his Scottish heart on his sleeve. There are a few politicians in the same mould and the fact that they appear on Have I Got News For You and other topical panel shows is not coincidental. Politics is like comedy and it is where the common man or woman goes to fight the battle, the lion’s den of public opinion. If you can face up to ridicule at the hands of some of Britain’s sharpest wits, then winning over your public should be a doddle. Kennedy knew this and won.
