AFTER DINNER SPEAKERS
"Charles was excellent. The feedback has been very positive."
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BIOGRAPHY
Charles was happily pursuing post-graduate studies in America when he heard about a surprise opportunity to stand for Parliament. He got on the first plane, won the ballot and two months later found himself entering the Commons as SDP Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye. He had become the youngest MP of his generation.
In the early days Charles' brief included social security, Europe and rural affairs. He sat on the committee that brought TV cameras into the chamber and was amongst the first to support a merger with the Liberals. Before long he was voted in as party president, eventually succeeding Paddy Ashdown as leader. In the 2005 General Election he led the Liberal Democrats to their best result since 1923, winning a total of 62 seats.
Since stepping down Charles has followed in the footsteps of Edward Heath as head of the European Movement. He has also co-presented a celebration of political comedy for Channel 4, but he's yet to return to the hot seat on Have I Got News For You.
In his after dinner speech Charles shines light on the personalities and relationships that hold sway in the corridors of power. He also reveals life on the campaign trail; what can you say when a woman refuses to talk to you because she's busy blow-drying her cat? With no firm policy on pet haircare, Charles had no choice but to move on.
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EXTRACT FROM JLA SPEAKERS LUNCH
by Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP
It's the things people say to you that make politics worthwhile. In one London by-election we were canvassing a street of terraced houses. We knocked on a pristine, freshly painted front door, bit of a delay, nothing happened. Finally a lady opened the door, saw the rosettes, recognised me, said 'Sorry love, nice to see you, love to talk, but I'm in the middle of blowdrying the cat'. There isn't much a politician can do in that situation. Even the Liberal Democrats don't have a policy on the blowdrying of cats...
