The Fall Of A Giant

For some people, it was Suez. For others, the Profumo affair. Yet for a third group, those hacks who cover the Liberal Democrats, the end of an era is here.

If, as expected, leader Charles Kennedy gets tossed out later on this month, no longer will they be able to write stories about his reported "battles with the bottle." No longer will they be able to smirk and giggle and make knowing references to him being "tired and emotional" at party conferences. And no longer will we see the traditional Springtime "Kennedy swears he's a changed man" story (complete with picture of oddly worried family).

So than, in commiseration with this intrepid little band of journalists, let us bow our heads. And pause. And maybe even say a little prayer. Alas. We shall not see his like again.