It is sad that we have all forgotten that Charles Kennedy is a human that has a problem with alcohol, and when people are brave enough to stand up and admit this then we, the almighty public looks down upon him because he drank too much. How lucky are you, the ones that have never had such a problem? Every day I see people who have lost the will to live becuase they too stood up and admitted a problem, and people can never forgive them for being weak. Do we look down upon people with cancer? Isn't substance misuse in the greater sense an illness? And who are we too judge? 22,000 people died last year because of alcohol addiction in Britain. And the NHS spent 18 billion on it last year. Surely the fact that one of our 'trusted' leaders have the smae problem should make us sit up and realise that the answer to all this is not the extenstion of drinking hours. Daniel Strydom, Colwyn Bay
Charles Kennedy was responsive and down-to-earth in a way most politicians can only hope to be. As a young person (17) I found him one of the few politicians who didn’t seem to rely on a doctrine of spin and PR support. Despite his lack of catchy political sound bites his integrity and intelligence have shone through the media mud that has been slung at him in recent weeks. Why should a man who has lead his party to considerable success and has always advocated human rights alongside good common sense (which seems sadly lacking in target-driven Blairite Britain) be hounded out in such a way? Indeed, if it were not for a shamefully outdated first-past-the-post system the Lib-Dems would be in a commanding position. It seems that modern day “democratic” politics where everyone can throw their tomato has become the killing ground for decent men. His departure, more than anything else, has put me off a career in politics. Sunny Moodie, Conon Bridge, Scotland
Some of the most honourable and competent people I have known and worked with in my life have been alcoholics in control. What a great pity that the British political and social system can not give Charles Kennedy a realistic chance to prove himself as competent a leader sober, as he was when, presumably on occasion, drunk. Well done Charles for getting out of this particular race. Move on, continue the journey you have started in the last few months and lead something worthy of your abilities. Simon Brown, Targasonne, France
It is a modern idea that being an alcoholic should ban one from the top rank of politics: analagous to criminals being banned from entry to Australia. As the embodiment of British bourgeois smug, self-righteousness, the LibDems obviously had to ditch Kennedy. But my, won't it give them a pained but warm feeling of moral superiority! Gervas Douglas, Auragne, France
I am reminded of the early days of the Clinton/Monica scandal during which almost all of the leading pundits predicted his resignation within the week. It was shameful then and now that he chose instead to place himself above the welfare of the country, thus dragging his profound personal weaknesses into the public view. His personal addiction to himself as "the great and wise leader" brought nothing but further embarrasment to himself, his family and the nation. Take note, Mr Kennedy. S. S. Short, Tennessee
Charles Kennedy must go. He has had his day. The election results of the LibDems in 2005 were a failure, considering that they were the so-called real alternative on issues such as the Iraq war. Although it was a historic success for the party, a more charismatic and strong leader would definitely have made the Liberal Democrats more appealing. Under Kennedy it has been extremely difficult to ideologically define the party. Most votes that he received were a protest vote and votes from disgruntled loony lefties. The job of the next leader must be to clearly reveal what the party stands for. Rather than being a party for the disgruntled and disillusioned the Lib Dems should be a credible and alternative opposition to Labour and the Conservatives. Aranya Syed, London
I find it disappointing that the media and members of Mr Kennedy's own party were so quick to suggest that his position as leader was no longer tenable. If he can overcome his drink problem, and is given a chance to prove he has done so, is it not possible that he could emerge stronger from this current dark patch? I believe people should be encouraged and supported to overcome their problems and that they can turn their lives around. His leadership should be the main issue, not the personal problems he believes he has overcome. Gareth Rogers, Liverpool
At least Charles Kennedy lasted as leader far longer than the recent Tory leaders. When will politicians realise that friendship and politics do not make good bedfellows? Bernard Parke, Guildford, Surrey
Charles Kennedy always struck me as a decent and capable man - qualities not commonly displayed by our politicians. The decision of the Liberal Democrats to commit patricide will haunt them. They have executed a spiteful and messy coup. Kennedy will take the Lib Dem's political credibility with him. Peter Rogerson, Liverpool
What humbug over Charlie Kennedy. Churchill, who we are told was the best prime minister ever, allegedly consumed large quantities of alcohol daily. Just look at the mess the country is in with the present sober incumbent. James Murray, Balintore
I have a great deal of sympathy for Mr Kennedy ... but also quite some knowledge of the reality of his situation. I am an alcoholic, now dry for eight years and ten months and have had ample opportunity to observe the relapses of my peers, however determined. While I am quite sure of my own continued recovery, I am also quite certain that it is stupid and wrong knowingly to support an alcoholic as the leader of a party that could, if you stretch credulity to the limit, form a part or even the whole of our government. Life is cruel. Name and address withheld
Whatever one feels about Kennedy, it will truly be odd if he holds a leadership election with no credible challengers. It'll send a message to the country that perhaps no one has the ambition to lead the Lib Dems and that as a party they are a spent force. Anthony Harrisson, London
