Kennedy fate divides Welsh party

Kennedy statement

Several prominent Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged Charles Kennedy to step down over his drink problem.

Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott added her name to a letter signed by 25 Lib Dem MPs urging the leader to resign.

Also urging him to go were AMs Peter Black and Kirsty Williams and former parliamentary candidates Alison Goldsworthy and John Dixon.

But he was backed by two of the Lib Dems' four Welsh MPs: Welsh party leader Lembit Opik and Roger Williams.

The pressure was growing on Mr Kennedy after he owned up to his alcohol difficulties and called a leadership election.

A series of senior party figures have urged him to quit, although Mr Kennedy has said he will not resign "in any shape or form" this weekend despite the threat of a mass walk-out by members of his shadow cabinet.

Nobody needs this level of grief any more Peter Black AM

In an article on his website blog, Mr Black, the South West Wales AM, wrote: "The worst possible scenario is that Charles stands for leader and is re-elected unopposed.

"We all reach a time when we must move on. Charles Kennedy's leadership and the Liberal Democrats have now come to the parting of the ways...

'Seriously reflect'

"If possible Charles needs to make the decision himself and go with the dignity and respect that he has earned during his time in charge. Nobody needs this level of grief any more."

Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams said Mr Kennedy should "seriously reflect on his position this weekend".

She said it would be "very difficult for him to continue unless he has the support of his parliamentary party".

Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson said: "At a personal level I would like him to stay on, but as a practical politician I realise he has to have the confidence of his parliamentary party."

To accuse him of lying is to really misunderstand the nature of alcoholism Lembit Opik MP

Ms Goldsworthy, who was Lib Dem general election candidate in Cardiff West last year said: "It would be remarkable if he was to come back and lead the party with the full respect of his senior colleagues."

Mr Dixon, who stood in Cardiff North, said: "People we are talking to will always come back to the issue of the leadership and I think the Conservatives have found that over the last decade.

"It's very difficult to get any other sort of message out while you are still deciding who your leader is."

Mr Dixon said: "The story is going to be around him and his leadership rather than around the things we want to do for the country and when that's the situation really you've got to read the writing on the wall and you've got to go for the good of the party."

But Montgomeryshire MP Mr Opik cited US President George W Bush as one of a number of examples of recovering alcoholics in powerful positions.

Mr Opik also defended Mr Kennedy against charges of having laid about his drinking, and said: "To accuse him of lying is to really misunderstand the nature of alcoholism.

"It's a matter of denial, often to others, and very often to oneself and that's why it is so different to any question of professional integrity. I think we have to separate the two things."

Mr Opik said professionally Mr Kennedy had delivered for the party, and personally he had "taken a courageous step which goes way beyond politics.

"You add those two things together and you've got the sign of a leader with real personal integrity."