Charles Peter Kennedy was a prominent British politician who served as the Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006. First elected to the House of Commons in 1983, he became the youngest sitting MP of his time. Known for his principled opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Kennedy led his party to its most successful general election result in over 80 years in 2005. His political career was marked by his affable public persona but also by a well-documented struggle with alcoholism, which ultimately led to his resignation as party leader.