This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6997145.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sir Menzies vows to remain leader Sir Menzies vows to remain leader
(about 6 hours later)
Sir Menzies Campbell has said he has no intention of stepping down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, amid criticism of the party's performance this year.Sir Menzies Campbell has said he has no intention of stepping down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, amid criticism of the party's performance this year.
He told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "I'll lead the party through this parliament, through the general election and into the next parliament."He told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "I'll lead the party through this parliament, through the general election and into the next parliament."
His remarks came as a senior peer accused the party of lacking energy. His words came as a senior Lib Dem peer accused the party of lacking energy.
Lord Rodgers said the party's annual conference, which starts on Sunday, could be crucial for Sir Menzies.Lord Rodgers said the party's annual conference, which starts on Sunday, could be crucial for Sir Menzies.
'Difficult task''Difficult task'
Lord Rodgers, a former Lib Dem leader of the Lords, told the BBC programme: "I think he's a very able man and an intelligent man and he's very good on foreign affairs, and I always want to listen to him and I respect what he's going to say.Lord Rodgers, a former Lib Dem leader of the Lords, told the BBC programme: "I think he's a very able man and an intelligent man and he's very good on foreign affairs, and I always want to listen to him and I respect what he's going to say.
"But he's had a very difficult task and some people are disappointed."But he's had a very difficult task and some people are disappointed.
"There is a feeling that there's a lack of energy and an absence of direction, so I very much hope the conference will be different and change the mood really," he added."There is a feeling that there's a lack of energy and an absence of direction, so I very much hope the conference will be different and change the mood really," he added.
He said it was easy to say the party was more of a think-tank than a political party, but it needed to get to the issues that matter to people.He said it was easy to say the party was more of a think-tank than a political party, but it needed to get to the issues that matter to people.
However, he said he would not back any attempt to oust Sir Menzies.However, he said he would not back any attempt to oust Sir Menzies.
'Party united''Party united'
Sir Menzies told the programme he would not be stepping down, adding: "I think our party alone has got the policies which are necessary to deal with the issues of climate change".Sir Menzies told the programme he would not be stepping down, adding: "I think our party alone has got the policies which are necessary to deal with the issues of climate change".
But, on arrival at the conference in Brighton, he dodged questions from journalists about his leadership, with his aides saying he would deal with internal party issues "head on".But, on arrival at the conference in Brighton, he dodged questions from journalists about his leadership, with his aides saying he would deal with internal party issues "head on".
Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes said the party was "united" despite low poll ratings and doubts over Sir Menzies' position.Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes said the party was "united" despite low poll ratings and doubts over Sir Menzies' position.
One poll of 130 Liberal Democrat constituency association chairmen found that nearly a third were not convinced Sir Menzies was doing well.One poll of 130 Liberal Democrat constituency association chairmen found that nearly a third were not convinced Sir Menzies was doing well.
Of the 90 who responded to BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend, 61 said they were satisfied he was leading them in the right direction, 15 were unsure and nine did not support him. The remainder refused to answer.Of the 90 who responded to BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend, 61 said they were satisfied he was leading them in the right direction, 15 were unsure and nine did not support him. The remainder refused to answer.