KENNEDY CALL TO RETHINK DRUG LAW

Lib Dem Leader Seeks Royal Commission On The Legalisation Of Cannabis

Charles Kennedy, the new Liberal Democrat leader, last night stepped into a
political minefield by calling for Parliament to consider softening the
laws on cannabis as part of a drastic rethink of the Government's
anti-drugs strategy. In his first interview since winning the party
leadership last week, Kennedy told The Observer that a Royal Commission
into Britain's drug laws was crucial.

Accusing mainstream politicans of being out of step with public opinion, he
also praised the courage of International Development Secretary Clare
Short, the only member of the Cabinet to have raised the issue of
legalising cannabis, and threw his weight behind Liberal Democrat party
activists who have campaigned for an overhaul of the law.

His comments, in a wide-ranging discussion about how he will attempt to
instill more vigour into the party, mark a radical shift in the party's
attitudes towards drugs. Former leader Paddy Ashdown was keen to play down
calls for decriminalisation, believing this could prove damaging to the
party's credibility.

However, Kennedy said: 'One of the vital things about this party is that it
can discuss issues of this sort. It needs to remain ahead of the game. I
think that there are some newspaper editors who are actually behind the
agenda in terms of what people talk about out there.'

He added: 'Our position is that there should be a Royal Commission and that
it should not just be directed at the legislation of cannabis but the whole
drugs issue. There is hardly a family in the land that is not worried about
this issue.'

But Kennedy stopped short of saying that Britain should follow the example
of the Netherlands, where cannabis can be bought and smoked openly. He also
insisted he had never experimented with the drug.

Yet his attempt to prompt a debate about decriminalisation could prove risky.

Tory Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe last night denounced Kennedy's
call. 'I don't suppose we should be surprised that he has said this, but I
find it sad that the leader of a mainstream political party should even
suggest decriminalising cannabis,' Widdecombe said.

She added: 'It's entirely the wrong signal to send out. Once you start
talking about legitimising the use of cannabis you are sending a signal to
young people which suggests that it's an OK thing to do.'

The Government yesterday inisisted there was no need for an inquiry. 'Tony
Blair is against decriminalisation of cannabis and sees no value in a Royal
Commission,' a Downing Street spokesman said.

Four years ago, Liberal Democrat politicians became embroiled in
controversy when Chris Davies, a by-election candidate, was denounced for
his liberal views on drugs. He lost his seat at the last election.

In 1995, Short, then a Shadow Minister, was forced to withdraw comments she
made on TV which implied that she still believed in de-criminalising
cannabis. She was also forced to apologise to Blair.

However, Kennedy's willingness to tackle such a highly contentious issue is
an early sign that the Liberal Democrats are in for a different style of
leadership.

Although he indicated that the political issues he would most like to raise
are mainstream ones - the European single currency, tax and welfare reform,
constitutional reform and tackling crime and poverty - he also tacitly
acknowledged that there is limited public interest in what the leader of
the third party has to say on these questions.

He forecast that, whereas the Prime Minister can wake up in the morning and
ask himself 'What shall I do?', he as Lib Dem leader would be waking up
asking: 'What can I say and how can I get attention for the fact that I
have said it?'

Ashdown fought a relentless, often exhausting, battle to be taken seriously
as a mainstream politician whose views on issues such as the EU and the
Balkans were listened to. He achieved success largely because he survived
so long.