He couldn't just 'take over' the party...he could only have become leader by virue of a popular vote of the membership. Quite obviously, Kilroy thought he could win; Knapamn was afraid he might lose.
He has exposed the undemocratic nature of the party leadership. An unelected leader who became leader when membership was probably 20% of what it is now.
Whether you want Knapman or Kilroy, this was the first time in the party's history that there was a genuine choice between two experienced politicians.
The next general election with a newly elected leader could be over 6 years from now.
Imgine the damage the Labour /Tories and Liberals can do in that time. If someone is in a position to challenge for the leadership because they feel they can do a better job of increasing votes who in their right mind would wait knowing it would be 6 years before they could deliver.
By then, it might be all over for Britain bar the shouting.
Time is running out.
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