AMONG the giants whom I knew in my protracted career as an undergraduate of Glasgow University, a list which extends from John Smith and Donald Dewar, there are few whom I recall with such affection as I recall Charles Kennedy ("'He achieved so much so young and he's been taken from us far too soon'", The Herald, June 3).
We argued, sometimes bitterly, but always respected each other's view. I mourn for him and for our loss.
It besmirches my feeling of loss to comment that the internet is alive with seriously abusive and offensive tweets blaming the SNP for his death. I heard the declaration and as I celebrated our victory I felt for my friend as he declared "it is the night of the long sgian dubhs". The filth being expressed on social networks is exactly what might be expected from those who cannot otherwise give voice to their views. My point in writing is to emphasise that it is not only cybernats who engage in this poisonous activity. Charlie would have been among the first to condemn this insidious and anonymous activity.
I mourn for him and his family. Scotland and the United Kingdom are the lesser for his leaving us. He and I disagreed about many things but both of us wished to see a decent egalitarian society. That can be achieved without the offensive bombardment of people who try anonymously to propagate their poison on the internet. It is beyond the powers of any political party to control or restrict such stupidity. Perhaps it is a fate to which all high-profile figures must submit. I know that he would have condemned such cowardly talk by saying: "'Did he say that? Bring him in here. I'll explain it to him.'
When I watched his result unfold I thought we had recovered a golden gift to leaven the leaden oppositions in Holyrood. Like so many of our leaders he dies too young. But he leaves a legacy of decency, reason, and humanity which future generations will strive to fulfil. It remains for us to achieve his aspirations.
KM Campbell,
Bank House, Doune.
THE sad death of Charles Kennedy has deprived Scotland of yet another outstanding politician who have died before their time. We must now add his name to those of John Smith, Robin Cooke and Donald Dewar, all of whom achieved great success in politics but had much more still to offer.
Like all of them, Charles Kennedy's debating skills were developed and honed in the debating chamber of Glasgow University Union, and helped them to impress in the more salubrious surroundings of the Palace of Westminster. And like them, Charles Kennedy never forgot his native Scottish roots, and was a credit to his home country.
Although his political days were probably over, Charles Kennedy could have carved a very successful career in several other ways. He would have been in great demand as an after-dinner speaker, and his regular TV appearances proved that he would have been a popular guest or host of chat shows or political discussion programmes.
The many tributes to him from other politicians were genuine and deeply moving, and proved that he was well liked and held in high regard not just by his political colleagues but also his adversaries in other parties. No higher tribute than that could be paid.
Iain AD Mann,
7 Kelvin Court, Glasgow.
A RHETORICAL question, obviously: Would Charles Kennedy have done what Alistair Carmichael did?
Michael Bruce,
50 Millbrix Avenue, Glasgow.
A PASSING thought, a might-have-been, for Charles Kennedy, lauded and lamented as truly a man of the people. Might Charlie not have been truly the people's favourite as a list MP in the Scottish Parliament? Our whole country might have been his constituency, and not a sgian dubh raised at all, at all.
Jack Newbigging,
13 Heatherstane Bank,
Irvine.
AT a time when one leading Liberal Democrat finds himself being investigated by the Westminster watchdog is it so sad to read of the loss of one of the most principled men of his political generation. And what a different world we would have both internationally and domestically if Charles Kennedy's advice on avoiding a war in Iraq and a coalition with the Tories had been taken.
Roddy Mac Donald,
1 Glenmount Place, Ayr.
THE sad death of Charles Kennedy has correctly been met by a uniform praise of the man and a wholehearted appreciation of his qualities as both a politician and as a person. Comments by so called "colleagues" in his political party since his demise smack of nauseating hypocrisy. Vince Cable and Simon Hughes were at the forefront of a nasty campaign back in 2005 and the poor chap was literally cast aside. Perhaps this standard of behaviour reflects what to expect from politicians - a standard of behaviour to which Charles Kennedy happily had nothing to do with.
Stephen Porteous,
6 Malleny Grove, Newton Mearns.
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