Salmond: Kennedy’s heart wasn’t in Better Together

ALEX Salmond has said that Charles Kennedy’s “heart” was not in the pro-union Better Together campaign during the independence referendum.
Charles Kennedy launching a pro-UK poster in September last year. Picture: John DevlinCharles Kennedy launching a pro-UK poster in September last year. Picture: John Devlin
Charles Kennedy launching a pro-UK poster in September last year. Picture: John Devlin

The former First Minister paid tribute this morning to Mr Kennedy as a politician who had the “common touch.”

And although a “federalist”, Mr Kennedy would have reconciled himself to Scottish independence, according to the ex-SNP leader.

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“In terms of the independence referendum, I don’t think his heart was in the ‘Better Together’ campaign,” Mr Salmond told BBC News today.

“His heart would have been in a pro-European campaign, that’s a campaign that Charles would have engaged in heart and soul. That is something he absolutely believed in.”

Mr Kennedy did publicly criticise the negative tone of Better Together during the referendum campaign and called for a more positive approach.

The ex-Lib Dem leader lost his Ross, Skye and Cromarty seat in the SNP landslide north of the border in last month’s election

Mr Salmond added: “He was an interesting, complex character, but above all an outstanding communicator. But, a fine human being.”

“Charles was a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son. We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days,” his family’s statement said.