[News] RIP Lord Ashdown

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

"Ashdown announced his intention to resign as Leader of the Liberal Democrats on 20 January 1999,[31] departing on 9 August that year after 11 years in the role, and was succeeded by Charles Kennedy.[32] In the summer of 1999, there was speculation that he would be appointed the new Secretary General of NATO; however, his lack of governmental experience meant that doubts were raised about his suitability. The post was ultimately filled by Labour Defence Secretary George Robertson.[33][34][35]"

A political giant, indeed.

 

[pauli cee]

Blimey, HWT the 1st to go onto my ignore list.
How ironic

 

[Saunders]

"Ashdown announced his intention to resign as Leader of the Liberal Democrats on 20 January 1999,[31] departing on 9 August that year after 11 years in the role, and was succeeded by Charles Kennedy.[32] In the summer of 1999, there was speculation that he would be appointed the new Secretary General of NATO; however, his lack of governmental experience meant that doubts were raised about his suitability. The post was ultimately filled by Labour Defence Secretary George Robertson.[33][34][35]"

A political giant, indeed.

Yes the political giant that is George Robertson...

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Yes the political giant that is George Robertson...

Exactly. Neither he nor Ashdown were. But the tiny mouthed jock got the job. Speaks volumes.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Sad loss and as so many have said often stood away from the political hatred and took and over view. We need more like him.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Who do you think is doing the trolling? Not me.

I made an analysis of Ashdown that went against the flow of arse-kissing genuflection. That seems to have given what's his name a green light to waft homophobic-lite innutwattiendo at me. Nowt to do with taste.

I wouldn’t have said that I thought you were doing the trolling if I thought it was someone else.

And I do think it is in extremely poor taste to “go against the flow of arse-kissing genuflection” on an RIP thread. Which is why I said that. You disagree. Crack on.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I wouldn’t have said that I thought you were doing the trolling if I thought it was someone else.

And I do think it is in extremely poor taste to “go against the flow of arse-kissing genuflection” on an RIP thread. Which is why I said that. You disagree. Crack on.

Well your first comment is simply wrong.

As for your second, we'll see how that pans out when Corbyn popps his clogs. Respect....

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

[emoji29]

A good man and an ex Royal.

Per Mare, Per Terram

 

[Sussex Nomad]

A non jobbing politician, he saw the real world. Sadly today all MPs are career politicians with no idea about what it's like to live the real life.

 

[Saunders]

Exactly. Neither he nor Ashdown were. But the tiny mouthed jock got the job. Speaks volumes.

Not really proving anything though are you with a jobs for boys appointment from a party in power to a nothing politician compared to Ashdown. It certainly wasnt through merit.

 

[clapham_gull]

Last but one tweet:

We see clearly now who the ERG playgroup really are. Bad judgement, poor timing, over-grown egos, fantasy politics, prep-school tactics - they are less a political movement - more a Beano comic strip about Lord Snooty's little rag-tag gang throwing ink-balls at the headmistress.

RIP Paddy

 

[Lindfield by the Pond]

A good man that I had a lot of time for. His family will be rightly proud of him. RIP.

 

[pastafarian]

Didnt agree with his politics but would gladly replace hundreds of current MP`s with hundreds of Ashdowns.......all you need to know about the man(we all have our faults) and his commitment to public service over the self interest prevalent today.
Politics needs more Ashdowns not less.
RIP

 

[Pevenseagull]

Not a saint
Not a ****

Wish there were a few more of his ilk in parliament at the moment (obviously not this moment as it's silly o'clock ..... and even if it wasn't they're all on holiday for a couple of weeks practicing being *****)

 

[wellquickwoody]

Except of course when he cheated on his wife

You really are a nasty little saddo.

RIP Paddy, a man of sense, not indoctrinated dogma.

 

[fanseagull]

He was a conviction politician and a good man. We need more like him; he gets my vote......

 

[Two Professors]

Good man,with a normal person's weaknesses and foibles.Will be greatly missed in politics.RIP.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

"Ashdown announced his intention to resign as Leader of the Liberal Democrats on 20 January 1999,[31] departing on 9 August that year after 11 years in the role, and was succeeded by Charles Kennedy.[32] In the summer of 1999, there was speculation that he would be appointed the new Secretary General of NATO; however, his lack of governmental experience meant that doubts were raised about his suitability. The post was ultimately filled by Labour Defence Secretary George Robertson.[33][34][35]"

A political giant, indeed.

Unfortunately he was destined never to be a 'political giant' the moment he joined the Liberal Party.

That's not to say that I didn't admire the man greatly because I did. Many of his views were shared by me too, and I do agree with much of what the Liberal Democrats are trying to do, certainly when it comes to the EU.

R.I.P Paddy.

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

From the Iain Dale Archives: My Long Read 'In Conversation' With Paddy Ashdown...

"I have had a wonderful life but I am pretty pissed off at not being prime minister! I really would like to have been prime minister. Whatever you do, that’s the measure of a life."