I am a Lib Dem member and have been unhappy with our performance for over a year. I want a leader who will campaign effectively on PR, EU and energy/environment issues with a clear focus. CK simply was not doing this. His personal responsibility for this fiasco is heavy. Malcolm Smith, Rutland The Times headlines quoting "civil war" and "betrayal" within the Lib Dem party demonstrate a desperate inability to identify a real story. If the civilised debate about whether to have one or more candidates is civil war, please remind us how you described the Tory knock-out poll which produced Little Lord Fauntleroy as lisping pretender to the throne? Or do your archives not go back that far? Malcolm James, Hereford

But we have great compassion and respect for Charles Kennedy. However, for the Party's credibility, the leader of the Lib Dems should at least appear capable of taking over governing the country. Alcohol seriously impairs judgment, someone addicted to it cannot be relied upon to perform when required. A prime minister has to take crucial life or death decisions for the country. The two don't mix. David Lines, Laguna Niguel, USA

It never ceases to amaze me when someone has had the courage to tell the truth about his personal life he gets slapped down. I feel that others within government should take Charles Kennedy's lead and come clean about their personal lives. Then we could have a government that is worthy of its voters. It takes a lot of courage to admit, even to oneself, that there is a problem, let alone the world. There are many in today's administration who have "problems" but they are not made public because of fear that they, like Charles Kennedy, would be drummed out of office. I had hoped that the Lib Dems would be different to other parties that support adulterers and the like, but no, it seems that they are no better than the rest of the hypocrites in so-called positions of power. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. Gary Jones, Colwyn Bay

Charles Kennedy did not exhibit the kind of flair in politics that he shows on chat shows, and to succeed as a politician one must either not be affected by alcohol or else be seen to have put it out of reach. In this he has failed. With the Tories actually becoming more liberal than Labour they are steeling the Lib Dem's clothes. Logically, the Lib Dems should become the Conservative Democratic Liberal Party - by amalgamation. (New Conservative Party?) If you study this option you quickly realise that unless the Lib Dems develop some dominant personalities with some dominating political principles, they will always be seen as third party and not a party of government. Kennedy was never going to do this. Better to find someone who can. While you are finding him keep the party together by employing a good party manager like Neil Kinnock. James Benjafield, Shaftesbury

Mr Kennedy should have called his detractors' bluff and not bowed to media pressure. The Lib Dems are finished - politics in this country is finished. Juliette Kirkpatrick, Penzance

While following the reports relating to Charles Kennedy's leadership and his state of health, over the last 18 months, and after reading many of the comments here, I'm struck forcibly by how mean-minded, callous and judgemental so many British people are. It must be a really awful country to live in if people have such little concern for their fellow men, and such insensitivity. I’m so glad I don't live there any more. Britain also seems to be a nation of commentators who despise doers. Why would anybody with any dignity or personal integrity want to pursue a career in British politics? Laurence Derby, Paris

The manner in which Charles Kennedy was forced to resign the leadership of the Lib Dems paints a rather unsympathetic picture of certain members of the party's parliamentary team. While he could, and perhaps should, have been more honest about his drinking problem, the way in which his colleagues threatened to resign their frontbench positions if he didn't fall on his sword, was nothing short of disgraceful. It paints a contrary picture to the image the Lib Dems have in the past used to their electoral advantage - as decent, normal and honest people. There is a real division in the party between the older more social democratic tradition and a new, more economically libertarian outlook. Nearly all the party's brightest rising stars (Nick Clegg, David Laws, Mark Oaten, Ed Davey) are members of the new, more right-wing creed, with the majority of party activists way to their left. They should count themselves fortunate that in Sir Menzies Campbell they have not only a candidate respected on all sides of the house, but somebody who, like Charles Kennedy, can appeal to both wings of the party. Timothy Jones, Brighton, East Sussex

Charles Kennedy was a good leader, who in my opinion, could have continued to make the right decisions for many years to come. However, having lost the support of his MPs, he had no choice but to protect the party and resign. This truly shows the strengh of the man, a selfless act putting party before pride. If the Liberal Democrats are to continue to succeed, they must choose a leader with these same qualities of honesty, courage, and self sacrafice. William Barter, Beckenham, Kent

Yes he needs to step down. Someone who doesn't have the maturity and strength of character to stop drinking is hardly the kind of person who should be in a position of influence and power. Kim Righetti, Upland, California

No wonder Mr Kennedy drinks too much - like thousands of other young people, who probably drink to forget the lamentable state of the country under this “Keystone cops” Labour government. Shirley Bowen, Blackpool

Liberalism would drive anybody to drink. Terry Daly, London

It's so sad that we all have our weaknesses, but to say you're "in recovery" when all you've done is talk and take vitamin C is still denial. Mr Kennedy has to go, not just for the party's sake, but for the sake of his family and his own health. Unless he beats his demons, there is no hope. Once can only hope that a Conservative leader with past drug problems and a Prime Minister with an ego the size of the globe and a taste for luxuries can both eat a slice of humble pie and take a long, hard look at their own lives as we all should do. Mrs Kennedy has the hardest job; lets hope her love and devotion can withstand her husband's problems. Mal Mackie, Langley, Canada

Well, looks like Westminster has joined the 21st century. A Lib-Dem who's a "recovering" alcoholic, an ex-drug taker who leads the Conservatives and a Bush disciple/to hell with everyone else at Number 10. Interesting. Mr Kennedy is not in "recovery"; vitamin C is not the answer. Detox and rehab are. Should these people run the country? Who knows, we all have our demons. But admitting your faults does not mean you have them under control - it's only the first step. Recovery takes time, patience, in-depth counselling and rehab. Diaper changing and baby bathing is no substitute for a harsh reality check - that's what "recovery" is all about. Good luck to him - but more so to his long-suffering wife. Sally Holmes-Mackay, Vancouver Island