Charles Ke nedy stays as Liberal Democrat leader

WI Kennedy had dealt with his alcohol problem or the party had decided (correctly in retrospect) that he was still the best leader.

I think Liberal Democrats would have been further to the left and polled more votes

(I admit I am biased)
 
Honestly, Kennedy is my favorite British politician, so I admit to being a bit biased to. I've actually dealt with an alcohol problem as well, so I admit he's much more sympathetic in my eyes. I know it was a scandal in Britain, but if he were here in America, it'd be "Just like the other Kennedy's". It's not like his problem was broads :p

In all seriousness, I think if Kennedy had stayed on, the LibDems might have done about as well in the 2010 election. There would be no coalition government and it would really hamstring Cameron and probably force an earlier election than what we'll see, which will be 2015.

I think Kennedy would've had a much stronger showing in the election after 2010. Probably about 2013.
 
Hmm hard to say, were I to take a guess his more left leaning stance would be more successful in pulling Labour voters towards him perhaps gaining more Lib-Lab marginals but more likely to lose Lib-Con Marginals due to the Conservatives Liberal Lite agenda.

Another issue is the Leaders Debates, Camerons main problem at least in my opinion was Clegg another young leader who more or less negated Camerons youth. Theoretically, Cameron up against Kennedy and Brown two older Candidates gives him a edge in that regard. Another note is the Leaders debate in a sense saved the Lib Dems, they were not polling too well up until that debate if Kennedy could emulate Clegg that helps.
 
Kennedy v Brown v Cameron would make for interesting debates. With Iraq by then 7 years in the past, and Kennedy obviously going to want the Progressive Alliance that the Clegg bullshitted about during the campaign a lot more than the OTL leadership, might we come to see 'I agree with Gordon' emerge as a meme? I can certainly see Charlie turning around on Dave if such an exchange went like this:

'Actually, I agree with Charles.'
'I'd rather you didn't, David.'

In short, this might be an ASB turn of events. But nevertheless Charlie would certainly not allow the Lib Dems to sleepwalk into Coalition with the Tories, one need only look at his reaction to the Coalition IOTL to know that. Whether electoral arithmetic would work in his favour and install a Lib-Lab Pact - and indeed whether that would doom both Scottish leaders of British parties - would remain to be seen.
 
Hmm hard to say, were I to take a guess his more left leaning stance would be more successful in pulling Labour voters towards him perhaps gaining more Lib-Lab marginals but more likely to lose Lib-Con Marginals due to the Conservatives Liberal Lite agenda.

Another issue is the Leaders Debates, Camerons main problem at least in my opinion was Clegg another young leader who more or less negated Camerons youth. Theoretically, Cameron up against Kennedy and Brown two older Candidates gives him a edge in that regard. Another note is the Leaders debate in a sense saved the Lib Dems, they were not polling too well up until that debate if Kennedy could emulate Clegg that helps.

Kennedy is only 7 years older than Cameron, far from the 15 years of Brown. He also beams youthfulness (for the cameras). If he had dealt with alcoholism publicly there's a very real risk of him becoming Britain's Favourite Politician even before the debates. But what do I know, eh?
 
Kennedy was the Baby of the House at one point and he'd only be what 50-51 in 2010. Far from an old man, really. He also doesn't project the image. He has quite a bit of personal charisma and he comes across as very likable. So, I don't think Cameron really would've had much of a youth bump.
 
Hmm true, and as you said Meadow Iraq was 7 years earlier, so instead use Expenses. Get Kennedy to really focus on the issue giving him the ability to attack both Labour and Conservatives.

Combine it with greater Party unity during his problems which sees him defeat it and go forward perhaps he can do better.
 
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