Lib Dem crisis deepens as candidate defects to Tories

[occuserpens]

I never really trusted Cameron, now something becomes clear.

Andrew Grice. Lib Dem crisis deepens as candidate defects to Tories

[lovuian]

1. What they did to Kennedy was inexcusable...

I don't blame them deserting and going Torie.... the Lib Dems were horrible to Kennedy and soon their party will be begging for him to take the lead again or it will be in shambles...

[occuserpens]

2. Smells New Lab

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

8. Horrible to Kennedy?

The man ran in an election while simultaneously having a serious drinking problem. He was grossly irresponsible, and lied to both the country and his own party. I'm sorry that he has this problem, but he got what was coming to him.

[lovuian]

3. I see reinstatement of Kennedy

but we shall see what happens but if this continues this will give the Tories what they wanted victory over Labour...

[mazzarro]

4. Wow - Britain is going to fall for 'compassionate conservatism'?

Here we go again with that expression - another electorate about to be duped again.

[lovuian]

5. Blair was brought into to destroy Labour and take over Britain

he has done his job and I'm sure he will have a big check ready for him...

[WhiteTara]

7. and cushy job at Carlyle n/t

[AX10]

6. Bring back Kennedy.

The last thing we need is another Conservative government.

[lovuian]

9. You can tell the Tories and Labour went out to destroy the Libs

What they did to Kennedy was shameful and now without Kennedy the party is in shambles... if they were smart they would BEG Kennedy to comeback...

[AX10]

10. What did Labour do to them?

[lovuian]

11. Do you really think Labour loves them???

Cmon they were a threat to Labour in fact some defected to the Lib Dem party

the Lib Dems gave the Labour people a way out instead of just Torie...

I can feel Blair behind the downfall of Kennedy.......

but its going to fail Kennedy is going to comeback...I have faith that he won't want to see the destruction of the party... just have to see

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. Labour (or the Tories) didn't do it, the Lib Dems did it

because they got fed up with covering for Kennedy. When about half of the front-benchers signed a letter asking him to go, he'd only been sober for a few weeks, and there really was no sign that this time he'd succeed staying that way. After over 3 years, they'd had enough.

[T_i_B]

12. So down in the UK forum

we all worry that the Lib Dems are being taken over by right-wing "Orange Book" Lib Dems and up here we have a story about a Lib Dem candidate defecting to the Tories! Either the Lib Dem's aren't right-wing enough for him or it's just that he wants to side with whoever is going to win. (Mind you, if he's standing for Suffolk west then the Tories always win there anyway!)

[lovuian]

14. Gives Thankfully_in Britain a hugg I know I loved Kennedy and

the Lib Dems and I have faith that they will return... They just were gaining too much power and the Tories and Labour were just to scared of them...

Kennedy is their only hope this Sir guy isn't going to keep it together...

[T_i_B]

15. Kennedy is not their only hope

He's resigned as their leader because after admitting to being an alcoholic his position became untenable.

And as for the likely successors, Mark Oaten pulled out of the leadership race before the News of the Screws revealed that he had been having an adulterous affair with a rent boy, Simon Hughes (the preferred choice of many UK DUer's) has just had to come out as bisexual which may or may not harm his chances of becoming leader. Chris Huhne is totally unknown and has only been an MP since May and then there is Sir Menzies Campbell, who has the support of a large number of Lib Dem MP's but may look a bit past it when put next to David Cameron or even Gordon Brown (the most likely successor to Blair as leader of the Labour party).