WI: Kennedy Stays On?

What if Kennedy didn't resigned as Lib Dem leader in 2006? Would he have won the leadership election? Would he have stayed on till 2010? If so what would be the result of Charles Kennedy in the debates rather than Nick Clegg? Who would have won the election?
 
What's the POD here? Because it was clear that Kennedy's position was totally untenable by 2006. The vast majority of his parliamentary party wanted him gone, and a lot of those had told him publicly to go. No political leader can get out of a situation like that. If you want him to stay on you need to keep him off the sauce, but even then it's not a sure thing he makes it to 2010 as leader. Not well-liked by the Lib Dem establishment, was Chuckie Bum.
 
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As Veej says, you need serious handwavium to get him to 2010, but assuming you did, one consequence would likely be no debates. Charlie played very well on telly and Cameron only pushed as hard as he did for three party debates because he thought Clegg was a no-mark with no charisma, as was to be expected pre-Clegg-gasm. With a longer serving big beast who the public liked the image of leading the yellows, the debates might not be floated by a Tory party looking for a majority.
 
As Veej says, you need serious handwavium to get him to 2010, but assuming you did, one consequence would likely be no debates. Charlie played very well on telly and Cameron only pushed as hard as he did for three party debates because he thought Clegg was a no-mark with no charisma, as was to be expected pre-Clegg-gasm. With a longer serving big beast who the public liked the image of leading the yellows, the debates might not be floated by a Tory party looking for a majority.

I think you give Cameron better judgement than I would give him credit for. Remember, he was bending over backwards to get Rupie on board and Rupie really wanted a debate.
 
As Veej says, you need serious handwavium to get him to 2010, but assuming you did, one consequence would likely be no debates. Charlie played very well on telly and Cameron only pushed as hard as he did for three party debates because he thought Clegg was a no-mark with no charisma, as was to be expected pre-Clegg-gasm. With a longer serving big beast who the public liked the image of leading the yellows, the debates might not be floated by a Tory party looking for a majority.

Indeed, Nick Clegg was a public non-entity and Cameron may actually become more lucky ITTL as the Left vote is more split between Gordon "worst week since last week" Brown and Charles Kennedy which may help the Tories, though how much is the question depending on how many potential Tory votes the LibDems gain instead.

A majority of two helps no one so supply and confidence may be used, how would the Orange Book go down in the party as well?
 
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