Richard Baum

It seems a slight over-reaction to endure a second-rate Sinatra impersonator on Friday, then resign the leadership of the Liberal Democrats on Monday. But that, unfortunately, is what Sir Menzies Campbell has done. And the Rochdale dinner at which we were both present a few days ago has turned out to be just about his last such engagement as leader.

The question as to whether the ear-shattering crooning of our dinnertime entertainer is the sole cause of his departure, or whether there were other, less obvious, reasons, is obviously one which will vex commentators for days to come. But regardless of the reasons, I for one am sad to see Sir Ming depart.

If ever there was a sign needed that in today’s politics, the man to win an election and the man to run a country well cannot be the same man, then this appears to be that sign. Ming was many things - a statesman, a man of experience, of honour and of gravitas. Just the traits necessary to lead a serious, thoughtful party. But he wasn’t photogenic. He was old and he looked older. He was robotic in movements supposed to rouse the faithful. And whilst his words were earnest and full of depth and meaning, often-times their weight drowned out their inspiration.

That wasn’t always the case. Friday night’s speech did as good a job of rousing the grass-roots faithful as any showy note-free Cameron lecture. But with his words, even then, I couldn’t help feeling that I was listening to someone not unlike my Grandpa. A wise old man imparting the fruits of his life to the next generation. Clegg or Huhne or Laws or whoever the next guy is. I listened to Sir Ming out of reverance and respect, rather than loyalty to his vision or the thought that he could lead us into some promised land. Now that responsibility falls to someone else. Someone doubtless younger, better-looking, and probably able to speak without notes. Whether the sophistication of his ideas disappears along with his autocue remains to be seen.

It’s a shame that nowadays we seem to judge the strength of a leader not on the quality of his ideas but on the snappiness of his soundbites. I hope that we find a new leader who can do both things well.

I wish Sir Menzies well. I never met him in person, although I saw him close up on several occasions. His service to the party is immense, and continues to be so. Iain Duncan Smith, the last major party leader to have been deposed having never fought a General Election, has gone on to something of a revival within his party, and is now treated with reverence as a man of new and exciting ideas. I hope that Sir Menzies, who had plenty and still I’m sure has more, enjoys a similar future. His is a talent which the party needs in the background and contributing, even if his days as leader are at an end.

Rick