That’s the demand of his publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, according to The Observer’s media diary:
Menzies Campbell has followed a path well trodden by political leaders past, settling down to write his life story, which should hit the shops in 2009. But we hear the first draft has already been sent back by publishers Hodder & Stoughton – because it is too boring. Editors were horrified to discover the former Lib Dem leader failed to reflect on the ousting of predecessor Charles Kennedy or the subsequent knifing Sir Ming himself endured. Since the twin defenestrations are the only newsworthy parts of the book, they do seem rather startling omissions, and Ming has been instructed to sex up the document forthwith.
Well, he wasn’t the most charismatic and media-friendly leader but even he should realise that people will only be interested in his memoirs if he dishes the dirt.
It would be massively out of character if Ming were to “dish the dirt”.
The media would love to think that there is dirt to be dished out.
In the case of CK being ousted, the dirt was very public. In the case of the ousting of Ming, well he may have been unsettled by the pubic comments of colleagues, but fundamentally the problem was with the media.
I was one who wrote him a letter after the last local elections suggesting that he resign. However I do believe that he is a loyal member of the party, and even if he was aware of things that could damage the party – and who is to say that he is – I believe he would not make them public just to sell more books. He resigned in what he believed was the best interests of the party and I do not think he would ever compromise on that.
Never mind the sex. I want to know about the socks.
He should talk to Lembit; I understand there is a spare cheeky girl going.