Kennedy defends leadership style
Charles Kennedy has defended his leadership style, saying he combines the qualities of a strong chairman with a willingness to listen to others.
Mr Kennedy’s comments come after questions were asked over his stewardship of the party, with the leadership suffering defeats on two key policy motions at their annual conference in Blackpool.
Mr Kennedy even appeared to concede at the conference that he had been more of a chairman than a leader.
But in an interview with Today he said that people must not confuse “the need for effective chairmanship, which is part of the job of the boss, with the ability to take tough decisions and to lead people”.
He said that he was unafraid to make difficult decisions where necessary, and cited the example of the Iraq war – where the Lib Dems were the only party to oppose military action.
“Look at the last parliament, with some of the biggest divisive issues that we have seen in British politics in a generation, not least Iraq.
“That was leadership. It was a tough decision. I took it when a whole range of opinion was saying, don’t do this, it has never happened since Suez that a party would go against the conventional wisdom,” he said.
Mr Kennedy acknowledged that he had adopted a more consensual style of leadership when he took over his post, but said that is what the party wanted.
And his sentiments echoed those of Lib Dem local government spokeswoman Sarah Teather. Speaking at a fringe event last night, she said Kennedy “leads by consensus” and it was “vital” not to close down debate in the party.
She continued: “People want people to speak their mind – they are crying out for some honesty in politics.
“If we cannot debate just after the election then I don’t know what we are about.”
The Lib Dem leader went on to say he retained dynamism as party leader, and said this time was “a bigger moment of opportunity for me personally and for the Liberal Democrats as force for good in British politics and British society than has ever been the case”.
For a list of Opinion Former fringe events click here.
