Party:
Liberal Democrat

Constituency:
Ross, Skye & Inverness West

Date of birth:
25 November 1959

Telephone:
020 7219 3000

Address:
The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Political profile:
Charles Kennedy has been a career politician since he was one of the most unexpected victors of the 1983 general election, capturing a seat for the SDP at the age of 23.

He has held the seat ever since and after many years of being cited as a coming man, became leader of the Liberal Democrats in 1999.

In the interim, he built on his background as a national school debating champion and established himself as a very easy going, amiable and witty MP.

His media friendly manner led to him being dubbed 'Chat Show Charlie' and despite his four years as an enthusiastic president of the party, many within the party doubted whether his levels of energy and commitment would be sufficient as leader.

His initial performances in the Commons as party leader contrasted strongly with Paddy Ashdown's robust style; his conversational manner did not appear to make much of an impact at Prime Minister's Questions.

However, he has proved to be an electoral asset for the party and enjoys the highest public approval rating of the three main party leaders

He is less inclined to foster formal links with Labour than his predecessor, and has been a staunch critic of the government's policy in Iraq.

TOP THREE PARTIES AT A GLANCE
Liberal Democrat		54.1%
Labour		16.9%
Scottish National Party		14.1%

IN DETAIL
Name	Party	Votes	%
Charles Kennedy	Liberal Democrat	18,832	54.1
Donald Crichton	Labour	5,880	16.9
Jean Urquhart	Scottish National Party	4,901	14.1
Angus Laing	Conservative	3,096	8.9
Eleanor Scott	Green	699	2
Stuart Topp	Scottish Socialist Party	683	2
Philip Anderson	UK Independence Party	456	1.3
James Crawford	TCP	265	0.8
Majority		12,952
Turnout		61.6%

POLITICAL MAKE UP OF SCOTLAND