Sir Malcolm Bruce.
Former MP for Gordon.
Charles Kennedy and I were elected to Parliament on the same day, June 9, 1983. Charles was in America on a scholarship and returned prematurely to secure the SDP nomination for Ross Cromarty and Skye.
Duncan Grant, from Charles' campaign team advised him to sit down at the count and then told him that he was elected. On the way to a TV interview he asked the accompanying journalist whether MPs got paid demonstrating how little he had prepared for this great event.
Once in London he was courted by everyone - the youngest MP - with a distinctive accent and hair colour. What immediately became apparent was how well prepared he was for this by his experience of the Glasgow University Debating Society.
Charles' mentor in Parliament and politics was Roy Jenkins. From him Charles drank at the fountain of social justice politics and reinforced a lifelong commitment to reform and the European ideal.
From the start Charles had two contrasting lifestyles. In London he was at the centre of political debate, rarely out of the TV studios, speaking in Parliament and mixing with commentators, presenters and the leading lights in politics.
Back home he was on the family croft at the foot of Ben Nevis overlooking Loch Eck next to his parents' house where his father was a renowned player of the fiddle and his mother made sure Charles was never short of good food and home comforts.
Charles was not just a colleague but a close friend. He was best man at my wedding and godfather to my daughter. He presented a case of champagne for her head wetting saying it was the only spiritual guidance she was going to get from him.
32 years on it is worth recalling that the 1983 election also saw Tony Blair elected. Blair led his party to great election victories but ultimately lost its soul in the Iraq war. On this Charles was crystal clear. The war was wrong and probably illegal.
He spoke clearly and passionately at the anti war rally and led the united Liberal Democrats into the lobby against UK engagement in the war. This laid the foundations for his election success in 2005.
Charles had many talents all of which would have enabled him to flourish outside politics. He had a style that made him accessible and approachable. He didn't talk like a politician - just like a normal bloke. He was self deprecating and spoke with charm, wit and humour.
Just before we went our separate ways on the day Parliament dissolved I had a long chat with him. He was very much on top of his form, relaxed, engaging, funny and set for the fray. He expressed his concern that people he knew well told him they were voting SNP but were confident he would be re-elected.
I guess for them as much as for him the result was therefore a disappointment tempered only by the fact that it was across the board. Typically, Charles accepted the verdict of the people with dignity and grace regardless of what he may have been feeling inside.
We have lost a great politician with unique gifts and an enviable emollient style that will be sadly missed from the debates to come. For me and my family? We have lost an irreplaceable friend and colleague.
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