Ming Campbell’s autobiography

is shortly to hit the shelves, and is being serialised in the asswipe of last resort that is the Daily Mail. I can’t imagine it being very exciting except to some Lib Dem members, party kremlinologists and hacks needing it on their shelves for reference. I certainly shan’t be shelling out full price for it, nor in paperback either. I’m sure it will be on the ‘reduced’ shelves in Whitby Bookshop for £2.99 before long. I’ll give it 4 months from today.

It’s a shame he wrote it at all if, as seems to be the case, it sold on the basis of his proximity to his predecessor’s ousting. I doubt he needs the cash. I worked for an MP in Westminster a while ago and saw, heard and overheard things - including from Ming - that wouldn’t reflect too well on the people concerned. (I’m sure everyone who has been a PA, secretary or researcher in all parties have similar tales of plotting and venality. ) It’s all old news now, but I haven’t blabbed to journalists about them, far less put them in a book or on a blog.

I don’t want to be holier than thou about this (I’ve done my share of gossiping and provided material for some), but it’s one of those things he didn’t have to do, especially since today’s installment in the Mail (no link, fuck ‘em) rakes up the whole painful episode of the previous leader’s drinking habits. Charles Kennedy is a good man battling a serious problem and having its history and conversations (which people assumed would not be repeated) all over the Daily Mail does nothing to help him or, frankly, burnish Ming’s reputation.

Nor that of our party, or of politics. Work your ass off to become an MP in a party with (for a long time past) little serious prospect of power and now are you looking at your colleagues thinking, are my confidential conversations and personal foibles being kept to be used in an autobiography? I’m all in favour of freedom of speech. I’m also in favour of discretion and honour among colleagues. Is it a wonder people are looking at our political classes and thinking they’re not even worth the effort of a walk to the polling station?

Possibly Charles, his wife and family are not hurt by all of this. But I doubt it, and sparing a good man hurt is the kind of thing I’d hope of a man who had Ming’s reputation. And serialising it in the Daily Mail? Oh they just love liberals, don’t they?

Liberal Burblings covers the matter with his usual courtesy and balance.
Other Lib Dem bloggers have so far not pronounced.
Iain Dale (a Conservative blogger)  suggests that far from being ‘explosive’ Ming’s mems may be a damp squib.

PS: Previous Mingblogging showing I’m not a marrow anti-Minger (I think the party improved under his leadership), which makes this all the more disappointing.