Between 1967 and 1974, Menzies Campbell held the British record for the 100 metres sprint as he was able to do it in 10.2 seconds. He was also the captain of the Great Britain athletics team between 1965 and 1966. In 1975, Campbell became the Chairman of the Scottish Liberals and was elected as an MP at the 1987 General Election. He became the Liberal Democrat's chief spokesperson on foreign affairs and defence in 1992 and became the Liberal Democrat's deputy leader in 2003. He was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats in March 2006 but had to resign in October 2007 and was replaced by Nick Clegg.