Paddy Ashdown leaves behind a legacy of profound decency and kindness

The former Liberal Democrat leader showed the right way to be a politician in turbulent times - with tolerance, liberalism and social justice at the heart of his values.

By Olly Grender

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Former Liberal Democrat party leader, Paddy Ashdown arrives at current party leader, Nick Clegg's house on May 9, 2010 in London, England. With all the election results now counted and no political party gaining enough parliamentary seats to form a government - negotiations between the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and the Labour Party could take days. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The greatest shock about the loss of Paddy Ashdown is that he was still, aged 77, such a force of energy. I honestly believed that if we had a power crisis at any point we could plug him into the National Grid and he would light up Britain.

He led a political party, served his country as a Royal Marine and intelligence officer, ran Bosnia, wrote five books and two volumes of diaries, and was still determined to surpass his grandchildren when skiing.