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Opik to step down from party post Opik to step down from party post
(10 minutes later)
The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Lembit Opik has announced he is to stand down from his post. The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Lembit Opik has announced he is to stand down from the post.
He told the party's autumn conference that he was doing so after six years so that the post of assembly group leader and Welsh party leader could be decided in the same timetable. He told the party's autumn conference that he was doing so after six years so that the positions of assembly group leader and Welsh party leader could be decided at the same time.
Assembly group leader Mike German is due to announce his intentions on his own future to delegates on Sunday. Assembly group leader Mike German is due to announce his intentions about his own future to delegates on Sunday.
Mr Opik, speaking in Aberystwyth, also appealed for critics to be more open.Mr Opik, speaking in Aberystwyth, also appealed for critics to be more open.
The Montgomeryshire MP went on to say: "To those who are prepared to criticise me and others behind our backs, I ask you what's the point of doing that?The Montgomeryshire MP went on to say: "To those who are prepared to criticise me and others behind our backs, I ask you what's the point of doing that?
"A little more openness will go a long way to make us a more cohesive force in Welsh politics. If you've something to say, the most effective thing to do is to be open about it.""A little more openness will go a long way to make us a more cohesive force in Welsh politics. If you've something to say, the most effective thing to do is to be open about it."
Mr Opik, an MP since 1997 and the party's industry spokesman, has made regular headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimina.Mr Opik, an MP since 1997 and the party's industry spokesman, has made regular headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimina.
He recently said that voters like characters in politics.He recently said that voters like characters in politics.
The 42-year-old has warned of the dangers of asteroids and his wide-ranging interests include Estonia, harmonica-playing and flying.The 42-year-old has warned of the dangers of asteroids and his wide-ranging interests include Estonia, harmonica-playing and flying.
Mike German has been Lib Dem assembly leader since 1999Mike German has been Lib Dem assembly leader since 1999
Mr German, who heads the party's six-strong assembly group, is due to reveal on Sunday whether he wants to carry on doing the job he has held since 1999.Mr German, who heads the party's six-strong assembly group, is due to reveal on Sunday whether he wants to carry on doing the job he has held since 1999.
He said he wanted to inform delegates in Aberystwyth of his decision first. He said he wanted to inform party members meeting in Aberystwyth of his decision first.
Lib Dem party rules state that a leadership election must be held within a year of an assembly election.Lib Dem party rules state that a leadership election must be held within a year of an assembly election.
Mr German told BBC Radio Wales that he hoped members would be happy with what they heard from him.Mr German told BBC Radio Wales that he hoped members would be happy with what they heard from him.
Meanwhile, delegates voted to change the rule that cost the Lib Dems a place in the proposed "rainbow coalition" with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives after the assembly election in May.Meanwhile, delegates voted to change the rule that cost the Lib Dems a place in the proposed "rainbow coalition" with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives after the assembly election in May.
From now on, the chair of the party's national committee will have an additional and casting vote in the event of tied votes at meetings.From now on, the chair of the party's national committee will have an additional and casting vote in the event of tied votes at meetings.
In Lib Dem discussions about forming an assembly government, a proposed coalition deal was not endorsed because of a vote tied at 6-6.In Lib Dem discussions about forming an assembly government, a proposed coalition deal was not endorsed because of a vote tied at 6-6.
'Coalition deal''Coalition deal'
One delegate at Aberystwyth told BBC Wales: "Even the most obscure golf club has a rule allowing the committee chair to have an additional casting vote when votes are tied.One delegate at Aberystwyth told BBC Wales: "Even the most obscure golf club has a rule allowing the committee chair to have an additional casting vote when votes are tied.
"Had the party had such a mechanism when the coalition deal was up for discussion, recent political events in Wales would have turned out very different.""Had the party had such a mechanism when the coalition deal was up for discussion, recent political events in Wales would have turned out very different."
A motion was also passed calling for live webcasts of local council meetings to be available across Wales.A motion was also passed calling for live webcasts of local council meetings to be available across Wales.
The Lib Dems in Rhondda Cynon Taf said the service was already offered in Devon and would help involve more people in local decision-making.The Lib Dems in Rhondda Cynon Taf said the service was already offered in Devon and would help involve more people in local decision-making.