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Kennedy returns to the spotlight Kennedy returns to the spotlight
(about 4 hours later)
Charles Kennedy is set to address the Liberal Democrats' conference in his first major speech since admitting to having a drink problem. Charles Kennedy is making his comeback to frontline politics with his first big speech since admitting a drink problem and quitting as Lib Dem leader.
The ex-party leader is expected to receive a warm welcome from members - many of whom were unhappy at the way he was ousted nine months ago. Mr Kennedy won a standing ovation as he arrived on stage at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton.
His successor Sir Menzies Campbell insists he is not worried about being overshadowed by Mr Kennedy. His successor, Sir Menzies Campbell, insists he is not worried about being overshadowed by Mr Kennedy and says he would welcome him back to his top team.
Sir Menzies says he would welcome Mr Kennedy back on to the frontbench. Mr Kennedy was surrounded as he walked to the hall by a large media scrum.
'Conference highlight' Sir Menzies said he expected Mr Kennedy to make an "extremely accomplished and witty speech", with it likely to be "a highlight of the conference".
He said he was looking forward to his predecessor's comments. Ready to return?
"I'm sure he will make his usually extremely accomplished and witty speech," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"It'll be a highlight of the conference."
This message was echoed by members of Sir Menzies' front bench team at the party's morning press briefing.This message was echoed by members of Sir Menzies' front bench team at the party's morning press briefing.
Campaigns chief Ed Davey, who according to a recent biography of Mr Kennedy was among the MPs who pressed him to quit, said the whole conference "was looking forward to hearing from Charles".Campaigns chief Ed Davey, who according to a recent biography of Mr Kennedy was among the MPs who pressed him to quit, said the whole conference "was looking forward to hearing from Charles".
"We are all looking forward to Charles coming back to the front bench when he is ready and when he feels its appropriate," he added."We are all looking forward to Charles coming back to the front bench when he is ready and when he feels its appropriate," he added.
Environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: "People underestimate the achievement of Charles at the last election."Environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: "People underestimate the achievement of Charles at the last election."
He said Mr Kennedy had "reshaped the political battleground" ensuring the party "can win as many seats from Labour as it can from the Conservatives".He said Mr Kennedy had "reshaped the political battleground" ensuring the party "can win as many seats from Labour as it can from the Conservatives".
"It gives us electoral resilience which hasn't always been a feature of this party," he added."It gives us electoral resilience which hasn't always been a feature of this party," he added.
Tax voteTax vote
Mr Kennedy looked happy and relaxed when he appeared on stage at the Brighton gathering on Monday - just 24 hours before his address to activists.Mr Kennedy looked happy and relaxed when he appeared on stage at the Brighton gathering on Monday - just 24 hours before his address to activists.
It represents a rapid return to the spotlight after the bruising events of January when he first admitted his battle with alcohol and was forced to step down as leader by colleagues.It represents a rapid return to the spotlight after the bruising events of January when he first admitted his battle with alcohol and was forced to step down as leader by colleagues.
Some people within the party have speculated that he could mount a challenge to regain his leadership.Some people within the party have speculated that he could mount a challenge to regain his leadership.
A recent poll suggested that twice as many voters would prefer to see Mr Kennedy resuming his old role than Sir Menzies.A recent poll suggested that twice as many voters would prefer to see Mr Kennedy resuming his old role than Sir Menzies.
Mr Kennedy is due to speak after Sir Menzies faces the first real test of his authority with a crunch vote on his plans to ditch the party's commitment to a 50p top tax rate. Mr Kennedy is speaking after Sir Menzies won the first real test of his authority with a crunch vote on his plans to ditch the party's commitment to a 50p top tax rate.