Kennedy admits he fears for job

The Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has hinted that his job could be on the line unless the party makes big gains at the election.

The Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has hinted that his job could be on the line unless the party makes big gains at the election.

Mr Kennedy said the party expected him to stay on as leader through the next Parliament. But he conceded the membership wanted to see a "substantial step forward" in the election expected on 5 May.

He warned the party not to expect too much and downplayed his recent claims that it could win power.

"I think the party is ambitious and looking for a substantial step forward. If we have credibility and we are ambitious then we can make progress."

Mr Kennedy has dismissed suggestions he could lose his appetite for the job when his first child is born in a few weeks.