A dynasty ended

Oct 17 2007 by Rob Merrick, Liverpool Daily Post

THE abrupt demise of Sir Menzies Campbell proves that – in politics – it's not what you say, it's how you say it.

Who doubts that the Liberal Democrats, under his leadership, have set the policy agenda in recent years – on tax, the environment, inequality and, of course, Iraq?

No wonder poor old Ming limped back to Edinburgh in disgust, after being forced to fall on his sword on Monday. Who can blame him?

But the truth is that, at 66 going on 76, Sir Menzies simply never cut it in the Commons chamber or the TV studio, and seemed a diminished figure after becoming leader.

I will never forget the Prime Minister's Questions when he raised the issue of pensions, only to be cut short by a cruel shout of “Declare your interest!” from the Labour benches.

Similarly, the rock music obsessive in me recalls that, while David Cameron declared himself a Morrissey fanatic, Sir Menzies described himself as "from the Bill Haley generation".

Rarely before has an event that came as a shock at 6.30pm on Monday appeared so inevitable and necessary just a few hours later.

I was struck by how even Southport MP John Pugh – a strong Sir Menzies supporter – immediately said, with obvious relief, that he had done the right thing.

The question for the Lib-Dems now is whether a younger, more dynamic leader can deliver a bigger bang for the impressive buck of many Lib-Dem policies? It will not be easy.

Iraq, the issue that sent Labour voters to the Lib- Dems, has been neutralised by Gordon Brown, while David Cameron's “Vote Blue, Go Green” message is winning back Tory defectors.

What's particularly unfair is that popular Lib-Dem policies – on inheritance tax, “green” flight taxes and taxing the “non-doms” – are quickly pinched by their opponents.

However, there is still a gaping hole where Tory policies on schools and hospitals should be, issues where many voters believe Labour has failed to deliver on the higher taxes paid.

This is surely where the new leader – presumably either Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg or Environment spokesman Chris Huhne – must concentrate his efforts?

Success would also help Gordon Brown – because voters returning to the Lib-Dems would hit the Tories hard in the South.

WHO says there is little choice in politics these days. I mean, just look at the credentials of the two front-runners in the Lib-Dem leadership race.

There's Mr Huhne, a former journalist and Euro-MP who went to ultra-posh Westminster School, up against Mr Clegg, an ex-Euro MP and journalist, who, er, attended Westminster School.