On This Day

22 May 1941

Happy birthday to Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats 2006-07

Campbell served as Liberal and Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife from 1987 to 2015. Campbell initially practiced law, becoming a QC in 1982. He also had a distinguished career in athletics, competing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and holding the British 100m record. In parliament Campbell became party spokesman on foreign affairs and defence. In February 2003 he succeeded Alan Beith as Deputy Leader and in March 2006 succeeded Charles Kennedy as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Although his tenure as leader was brief he worked hard to professionalise party organisation and to reposition the party in a number of areas such as taxation and trident. He resigned the leadership in October 2007. In 2013 Campbell was made a Companion of Honour. He stood down from his seat at the 2015 general election and now sits in the House of Lords as Baron Campbell of Pittenweem.