Cable triggers leadership contest

The Liberal Democrats have opened nominations for party leader as Vince Cable triggers the contest to choose his successor, who will take over on 23rd July.

Since securing the largest local election gains in the party’s history at the start of May and with polls in the European Elections closing last night, Vince Cable has written to party members.

In an email to party members Vince Cable says:

“Our long and proud tradition of success in local government was revived this month by the best local election results in our party’s history. In the last two years, we have gained 780 more council seats and 15 new councils.

“And membership is at record levels with a strengthening base of supporters amongst students and young people. Together, we have rebuilt the Liberal Democrats – thank you.

“There are major challenges ahead. One is to win, finally, the battle to stop Brexit. Our campaigning has given hope; now we need to secure a referendum in Parliament, and then win it.

“Another is the opportunity created by the conflict and decay within the two main parties to build a powerful, liberal, green, and social democratic force in the centre ground of British politics. We are now in an excellent position to lead such a movement”.

Responding to the start of the contest, Party President Sal Briton said:

“Vince Cable has led the Liberal Democrats during the most tumultuous time in British post-war politics, but under his leadership we have grown in strength enormously as well as leading on the biggest issue of this political generation: Brexit.

“Vince’s calm and mature leadership of the Liberal Democrats has helped us gain hundreds of seats in local elections and take control of councils up and down the country, as well as surging in the polls leading into the European Elections, putting us in second place ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives at 20%.

“I want to thank him on behalf of all the Liberal Democrats’ 100,000 members and encourage those who share our values to join us in the coming days and vote in the leadership election that will now take place.”