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Kennedy upbeat over prospects

Kennedy upbeat over prospects

Charles Kennedy has revealed an upbeat assessment of the Liberal Democrat’s chances at the general election.

The Lib Dem leader said that with just six days to go he remained “very optimistic” of a good performance in the polls.

He revealed that he expected to increase his party’s share of the vote but that the first-past-the-post system meant he could not predict how that would translate in seats in the House of Commons.

“We’re going in to the final furlongs now very optimistic indeed,” Mr Kennedy told Sky News.

“I can’t predict what this perverse voting system will throw up in terms of actual Parliamentary seats but I am confident of a big increase in share of the vote for the Lib Dems.

“How much that transfers into more seats, frankly, is a bit of a roll of the dice, but I hope a lot more MPs.”

But Mr Kennedy argued that a clear picture of the results was not possible as the election was throwing up a “mixed picture” across the country.

The Lib Dems leader was speaking today in Inverness and took the opportunity to introduce some of the party’s supporters to new born Donald Kennedy.

Asked how he coping with the pressures of fatherhood, Mr Kennedy added: “On the domestic side, things are very happy indeed and the arrival of Donald has really helped keep all of this in perspective and keeps your feet on the ground.”