Oh dear, what a lot of muddled thinking that illustrates why so many civilised English are leaving for places, like France, where the weather is better and the people so much more refined.

Ming is probably quite a nice chap, but I’ve never been a great political fan, not because he’s “old”, or “old-fashioned”, but simply because he’s rather dull. There was never great anticipation that Ming would say anything stimulating, or wipe the floor with an opponent – not because he is nice or fair, but simply because he just hasn’t quite got what it takes to be a great political leader.

What we need are leaders who are quick-witted with a sense of humour, far-sighted, fair, can understand the implications of their actions and words, while demonstrating good manners and consideration to their colleagues and opponents (in public at least), while still ensuring they come out on top. The only one who can achieve that now is William Hague who has a very good chance of getting my vote.

SteveH, London, England

You said: "the Liberal Democrats' fundamental problem: appalling communications skills ... the deputy leader of the party was unable to keep to the formula". What you mean is that he was unwilling to tell ruthless lies (given that the discussions were in fact going on).

I fear you are right ... that a willingness to tell lies is a vital "communication skill" for a politician, and so politicians will never gain the trust of the voters.

Chris, Manchester,

Your title says it all so succinctly!
Campbell just didn't act and look the part at all.

Dave, Southampton, UK

William Pitt the younger became Prime Minister at the age of 24 and was very successful. William Gladstone was Prime Minister well into his eighties for the third time. I venture to suggest the media would be incapable of allowing such occurences in the 21st century without making ageist attacks which would ruin the chances of even the most able.

phil, Lincoln, UK

Whenever there is an issue of oppression or discrimination, its funny how many people try and write it off as something else!!! I did not see any cartoons having a dig at the idea that he was old fashioned, to me they all looked as thought they were aimed at his physical looks and age.

Since when has being 'old fashioned' been a negative thing anyhow, its something many of the parties try to aspire to in many ways.....isn't that hwat 'traditional values' is about, just using different words.

FACT: If Ming was or looked younger (even with the same policies) he would not have been subjected to the ridicule that he was. That makes it ageist, and yet again makes the many sections of the media criminals for breaking our laws against discrimination.

Denise Maxwell, West Midlands, UK

You say:
"There is no point complaining about the 24-hour media and their voracious appetite for soundbites; they just are, and people watch them and they listen to them, and a party leader has to be utterly comfortable with that."
They just are? What, like rocks and mountains? They are contingent products of human social, political and economic activity and can, if we have the will, be changed.

Stewart Hartley, Riotuerto, Cantabria, Spain

I knew as soon as I heard about the resignation that a media yawn-fest was on its way. Blah blah Ming's too young. Blah blah Clegg's too old. Or have I got that the wrong way round?Who cares about the SDP anyway?

Redcliffe, London,

It is very sad that Ming resigned. I always thought he seemed so nice and in my opinion that is, in itself, worth voting for.

alison, London,

You write:
"There is no point complaining about the 24-hour media and their voracious appetite for soundbites; they just are, and people watch them and they listen to them". They just are? They are contingent social, political and economic creations and can be changed if we have the will to do so; they are hardly set in our genetic make up or "just are" like natural features such as mountains. A touch too much of hubris, I think

Stewart Hartley, Riotuerto, Cantabria, Spain

ah agesim, a red herring, brutus wanted mings job any reason will do, woman call it the glass ceiling, young turks call it aleadership opportunity.Ming understood when he got to the top of the greasey pole there are no hangers on.Spare a thougt for brown he knows his days a numbered as does cameroon, not all failures have a feather beds just p45.

michael joseph heavey, cahersiveen>adams towns, madness

I was bothered about the ageism thing, but he is "old". He is in the same age bracket as Herbie Hancock, Hellen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, et al, and noone describes them as old because they are not...

sean, tel aviv, israel

This is not ageism. Menzies did not go because he was old, but because he was so OLD! There are plenty of older politicals out there who make astonishing contributions. Look at the energy of someone like Tony Benn. It's the internal energy, the light in the eyes, the quick mind and the inner strength to persuade your fellows that counts. Menzies had none of those, or if he did, he kept them well hidden.

Melanie, Farnborough,

Ahhh the excuses for your ageism ... quite pathetic .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Alice Miles writes : "Being “fair” is something Sir Menzies minded about a lot, and it showed. ...... And, like it or not, fair and nice doesn’t win."

Much of the world does not operate on the basis of 'fairness'.

This is has always been a quintessential English virtue. It seem sad that even the Liberal Party should succumb to the jungle behaviour of the political class world over. Alas, alack!

Gautam Pingle, Hyderabad, India

Sometimes self-styled leaders in waiting are highly comfortable with the idea of a gentlemanly character keeping the seat warm for them, unaware of the possibility of a concealed knife ready for an opportune turned back.

dr venables preller, Warrminster, UK

They need someone who can tear out the jugular of Gordon and David at the same time - one hand, one throat. Someone who will knee Darling and Osbourne in the eye waterers without blinking. Someone who will look us all in the eye and tell us what is wrong and how they are going to put it right. The trouble is.................... they haven't got anyone remotely like that.

Kevin Murphy, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Actually I have bet Huhne a couple of times and he seems like a very likeable chap. Not cold at all. Just tghought I should mention it!

Alex, Canterbury, Kent

You say:
"There is no point complaining about the 24-hour media and their voracious appetite for soundbites; they just are, and people watch them and they listen to them, and a party leader has to be utterly comfortable with that."

Sir Menzies was not utterly comfortable with that. And that is why he had to go.

Suppose that this hypothesis of yours is correct. Then Gordon Brown must go. Will you tell him? Or can I?

David Moss, London, UK