Menzies Campbell

Sir Menzies Campbell

Walter Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, CH, CBE, PC, KC (born 22 May 1941), often known as Ming Campbell, is a British Liberal Democrat politician, advocate and former athlete. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Fife from 1987 to 2015 and was the Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2 March 2006 until 15 October 2007.

Quotes

• It can fairly be said of John Smith that he had all the virtues of a Scottish presbyterian, but none of the vices.
  • Hansard HC 6ser vol 243 col 437
  • Paying tribute to Labour Party leader John Smith, a friend at the Scottish Bar, in the House of Commons on 12 May 1994.

• We can all agree–it has already been a measure of the debate–that Saddam Hussein is an evil tyrant with no regard for the sanctity of human life, for either his own citizens or the people of other countries. We all agree that he is in flagrant breach of a series of UN resolutions, and in particular those relating to his duty to allow the inspection, and indeed participate in the destruction, of his weapons of mass destruction. We can also agree that he most certainly has chemical and biological weapons and is working towards a nuclear capability. The dossier contains confirmation of information that we either knew or most certainly should have been willing to assume.
  • Hansard HC 6ser vol 390 col 43.
  • Speech in the House of Commons, 24 September 2002.

• I have done my best to fulfil my responsibility to him and to the party in circumstances which were difficult for everyone … It has been an enormously difficult time and there have been huge conflicts of loyalty. We have to accept the sincerity of intention of people in what it was they tried to do.
  • On Charles Kennedy, who resigned as Liberal Democrat leader after revealing his treatment for alcoholism.

• My priorities? The environment, the environment, the environment.
  • Michael White and Tania Branigan, Interview with The Guardian, 13 January 2006.

• Under my leadership the Liberal Democrats would not be making polite interjections from the sidelines, we would be hammering on the doors of power.
  • Birmingham Post, 21 January 2006

• It’s like a soap opera. It’s certainly an identity crisis. Gordon wants to be like Maggie, but he doesn’t want to be like Tony. Tony also wanted to be like Maggie, but Maggie only wanted to be like Ronnie. Now Dave, he wants to be like Tony, but he doesn’t want to be like William, or Iain, or Michael, and certainly not like Maggie either. Confused? You must be, but you can be clear on this: I don’t want to be like any of them.
  • Leader's speech, Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton, 20 September 2007.

• It has become clear that following the prime minister's decision not to hold an election, questions about leadership are getting in the way of further progress by the party. Accordingly I now submit my resignation as leader with immediate effect.
  • Resignation letter, 15 October 2007.

About

• I think he was shafted by a complete shower of shits.
  • Tania Branigan, "Plotters force out Campbell, The Guardian, 16 October 2007, p. 1
  • Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, on Campbell's resignation.