Analysis By Nick Assinder Political correspondent, BBC News website

It is a question that is being asked around in Westminster - could Charles Kennedy really make a comeback as Liberal Democrat leader?

The answer that quickly follows is almost always "no", but there are enough MPs willing to ponder the thought for more than 10 minutes to make it a tantalising idea.

Mr Kennedy was removed from office with some brutality on the grounds he was struggling to cope with a drink problem. There was, needless to say, more to it than that.

The most popular theory was that the "young turks" wanted the still youthful Kennedy out of the way before the next election in favour of a caretaker candidate, Sir Menzies Campbell, who would step down shortly after the poll.

That would give them their chance to make a mark, settle differences over the party's future direction which were running hot at the time, and then those left standing would step up to the plate after the poll.

It was also partly sparked by panic in Lib Dem ranks at the possibility of a resurgent Tory party under David Cameron squeezing them off the political map and some genuine concerns over Mr Kennedy's ability to build on his two general election successes.

No one could question the fact that Mr Kennedy had led the party to new highs, with the Lib Dems having their best election for 80 years just seven months before he was forced out.

His relaxed, approachable image was a hit with voters and even his "Chat show Charlie" reputation probably didn't do him too much damage, particularly once he scaled down the TV performances.

After he was so unceremoniously dumped there was a lingering sense of guilt amongst many Lib Dems who believed he had been treated too roughly, although they virtually all agree he had had to go.

There was plenty of talk, including from Sir Menzies Campbell, that he could certainly make a comeback to the frontbench once he felt ready.

That mood was encouraged when he made highly-effective speeches at the last two party conferences although he has himself showed no great desire for a return to a frontline job just yet.

High regard

So, have things now changed? Has Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation - whatever actually sparked it - caught the "young turks" still unprepared for the big job?

And, if that is the view amongst grassroots party members who still hold Mr Kennedy in very high regard, might this set the stage for a sensational, bookie-breaking comeback?

If the choice of a new leader was entirely in the hands of Lib Dem MPs at Westminster there would be little chance of Mr Kennedy regaining the job.

But the leader is chosen in a one member one vote of Lib Dem members across the country, so were he to enter the race it would be anything but a foregone conclusion.

Having said all that, you've got to be in it to win it, and as Mr Kennedy said on the BBC's Daily Politics, he is currently "highly unlikely" to put himself forward.

Here is a representative selection of your comments:

Charles Kennedy is without doubt the best person to lead the Lib Dems, particularly in relation to his popularity with the public at large. If he stands, I think he would walk the election.
Michael Newbold, Bournemouth

Without doubt. The Liberals would be making a huge error if they didn't take this opportunity to have a leader people like, trust and respect.
Adam, London

I believe in giving people a second chance - life is filled with people who have problems. Unfortunately, when you are in the public eye one has to remember that one is going to be scrutinised more than the ordinary man in the street.... one has to question whether his personal problems will interfere with his public role as an MP. It's a fair question to ask - is he capable of coping under pressure?
Chris, Oxshott

He was the best leader the Lib Dems had. If he chose to come back I think he would be given the right amount of support this time to ensure he could stay leader without jeopardising his personal life. Come back Charlie!
Helen Webster, Harrow

The idea of Charles Kennedy as a master of the media seems bizarre to me. His speech wades through a mud of subordinate clauses and always makes me want to shout, "Get to the point" at the radio.
Gideon Mitchell, London, UK

Charles Kennedy has charisma - a characteristic sadly lacking among his party representatives. Sure, he has personal flaws but then so have all great leaders.
Alan Hunt, Southampton

I actually think he should. He was the best thing to happen to the Lib Dems. He gave the impression that he was a very genuine person and 'for' the people. He had that 'Human' touch. I personally think it was a disgrace that they removed him just because he had a bit of a problem with drink that he was trying to overcome.
Andy G, St Helens

Clearly the Lib Dems are a nasty, disloyal lot and therefore CK would be a fool to try. The job is a poisoned chalice.
Rosalind Mercer, Bedford

The problem, once again, would be that we would read and hear more about his "baggage" than Lib Dem policies. Personally, I'd elect the best woman candidate they had. That way we would break up the 'men in suits' image that now have with all politicians.
Steve Morton, Cirencester, UK

There can't be too many Lib Dem MPs left who haven't actually been leader at some stage, so a bit of recycling would seem in order.
David Acton, Murton

The idea that the grassroots Lib Dem membership would re-elect Charles Kennedy is, unfortunately, many months out of date. My perception is that the need for a change of leader was, eventually, reluctantly accepted although people were still appalled and angry by the manner in which it was achieved. It has also succeeded in leaving Kennedy's standing in tatters in the eyes of the media and many voters so he'd have even more trouble in talking about policy than Sir Menzies Campbell did (who I think has suffered deep unfairness and disgusting prejudice). I truly regret that events occurred as they did with Charles Kennedy - but it's too late to turn back the clock now.
Astrofiammante, London, UK

I'm a Liberal Democrat member, and I never wanted him to go
James Taylor, Norwich

I voted no, not because I feel Kennedy could not lead the Lib Dems, but because I feel he should not have/want to. He had problems, which I am sure we all hope he is over, but the way in which he was dumped, and the stresses he was under during the leadership should not be put back on the man. If he chooses to run, then he is certainly a braver man than I....
NickH, Bristol

Kennedy's departure was a disgrace, its time to bring him back.
Steve, Egham

Charlie Kennedy is the only LibDem with any known appeal to the voters. It's all fine and good for grass root members and party insiders to plot and plan about alternative, youthful candidates but useless in the broad sense of getting the general public to vote for the party.
Al, Wolverhampton

If he still wants the job (who would blame him if he didn't?) he should go for it. He has far more support amongst the general public than the likes of Huhne, Clegg et al. Reinstall Ming as Foreign Office spokeperson and I think they have a "winning" team.
Andrew, London

He should never have gone in the first place. He was a credit to the party and bought them up to be a real competitior against Labour & Conservative. Since leaving, the party has been on a downward slope. He is definitely the RIGHT person to bring the party back to its former glory.
Bal, London

The easy-going manner of Charles Kennedy is the reason he should not return to the leadership. He doesn't have a strong desire to win and that's what the Lib-Dems need. So I suggest Charles returns to the chat-show circuit and let someone new take over.
George, London