In the News
Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies
23rd December 2018
For a decade, Paddy Ashdown was a charismatic leader of the Liberal Democrats helping to lift his party from the electoral doldrums and significantly expanding their parliamentary representation. Under his leadership, the Liberal Democrats once more became a noticeable third party force in British politics.
His death at the age of 77 was announced on the 22nd December 2018. We have curated below some of the reaction to his death from the mainstream media and political commentators.
This is a hugely sad day for the Liberal Democrats and for the very many people across political and public life who had immense affection and respect for @paddyashdown. He was famous for his politics but his talents extended well beyond that arena. RIP. https://t.co/Zq8issvSzC
— Vince Cable (@vincecable) December 22, 2018
He was a Royal Marine and a political leader, he helped to build the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina after the Yugoslav civil war (and he was a youth worker with Dorset County Council). Paddy Ashdown has died, aged 77. https://t.co/ymnRxIFmOf
— BBC Radio 4 (@BBCRadio4) December 22, 2018
Former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77 https://t.co/IQaFT6Cp0h
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 22, 2018
I had a lot of respect for Paddy Ashdown. During the Bosnian war most politicians pontificated from a safe distance. I would see Paddy when he came into besieged Sarajevo across a risky mountain route. He used his own eyes and ears to work out the war’s rights and wrongs
— Jeremy Bowen (@BowenBBC) December 22, 2018
A piece Paddy Ashdown wrote for The Independent last year - Brexit is a monumental act of self-harm which will bewilder historians https://t.co/wPFLyh2Fvr
— The Independent (@Independent) December 22, 2018
Geoff Riley
Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD conferences in the UK and overseas.
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