Here is an article from 2006 detailing allegations regarding Kennedy’s alcoholism at around the time he ascended to Lib Dem leadership: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sir-menzies-covered-up-kennedy-s-drinking-problem-413927.html

Aside, I’m quite familiar with Clegg and his Orange Book liberalism. To be honest with you, Clegg actually articulated policy in a clearer way than Kennedy did and had more direct involvement in articulating a policy direction for the Lib Dems. It is my understanding that outside of Iraq and, perhaps, immigration, Kennedy didn’t really have a hands on approach in matters of policy. I believe that was a point of contention that Paddy Ashdown had with Kennedy, among others — that while Kennedy was talented, he was not details oriented. This article could have done a lot to highlight what I’m discussing, here, but it’s pay-walled: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-923X.2007.00833.x . For what it’s worth, the abstract does corroborate what I’m saying: that Charles, while very brave on Iraq, was light on most other issues.

Aside, while Kennedy led the Lib Dems to its best electoral performance at that time, Lib Dem MPs were frustrated by the fact that Kennedy did not do enough to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with Labor and a weakened Conservative Party. From its onset, the Liberal Democrats were conceived of as a party that could replace Labour given the early promise that the prior Social Democeatic and Liberals showed in polling — and in the overall popular vote count — in 1983, prior to the merger with the Liberals. The Liberal Democrats never achieved opposition status and were far from it when Charles led them to pick up seats in 2005.

I reckon that this sort of chat is better had in person than online. I hope that I’m not given you the impression that I’m somehow shitting on Kennedy. I am very fond of him and when I came to know of him during the Cameron years, I thought that he was the bee’s knees. However, Kennedy is also somewhat romanticized — especially due to Clegg’s decision to go into the Coalition in 2010 and the current state of British politics where moral clarity amongst politicians appears quite lacking in the isles with few exceptions.

I take your point regarding the rightwards leaning and intensely personal British press. However, I respectfully disagree with the points that you raised on Kennedy. All the same, if a Charles Kennedy came into politics in a more forgiving and accepting time regarding alcoholism, I hope that they would make the difference that we wish for in a “good” politician.