Menzies Campbell was a finely tailored politician who dressed like a Tory grandee, had a certain affinity with the social democratic wing of the Labour Party, but always described himself as both a proud Liberal and a proud Scot. And so he was.
Despite knowing and being surrounded by equally talented Scottish Labour figures who’d made easier careers for themselves in what was the naturally dominant political force north of the border – notably John Smith, who rose to the party leadership – Campbell paid a certain price for his loyalty to liberal values. He only became an MP at the comparatively mature age of 46, rose to the party leadership when he was, at 65, past his prime, and never held office.
