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Search on for new Lib Dem leader Lib Dem leadership race under way
(about 2 hours later)
The Liberal Democrats are starting the process of choosing their third leader in 18 months following the sudden departure of Sir Menzies Campbell. The race to replace Sir Menzies Campbell as Liberal Democrat leader has begun, as MPs start sounding out colleagues about potential bids.
He resigned claiming questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". Sir Menzies quit after 18 months in charge, saying leadership speculation was impeding the party's progress.
Party president Simon Hughes denied he or deputy leader Vincent Cable had "wielded the knife" against the leader.Party president Simon Hughes denied he or deputy leader Vincent Cable had "wielded the knife" against the leader.
The early frontrunners to succeed him are Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, but at least seven are considering running. The early frontrunners to succeed him are Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, but as many as seven are considering running.
Nick Clegg, the current home affairs spokesman, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and "close friends" before deciding whether to stand for the leadership.
LEADERSHIP TIMETABLE: 16 October - Nominations open31 October - Nominations close21 November - Ballot papers sent out15 December - Deadline for completed ballots17 December - New leader announced Who's Who: The contendersLEADERSHIP TIMETABLE: 16 October - Nominations open31 October - Nominations close21 November - Ballot papers sent out15 December - Deadline for completed ballots17 December - New leader announced Who's Who: The contenders
Mr Hughes said the Lib Dems owed Sir Menzies "a huge debt of gratitude". "Events have been very, very sudden. They've taken me by surprise, many people by surprise," he said.
But he told BBC News 24: "I wasn't aware of a single colleague who had said to Menzies... that they weren't willing to support him and weren't willing that he should carry on. He added that he had spoken to Sir Menzies, who he described as behaving "with extraordinary dignity and integrity".
"It was the press, by and large, who kept on about certain things that suggested that he couldn't lead us. Chris Huhne has not said if he will stand - but sources closed to him have told the BBC he is likely to make a statement on Wednesday.
"Menzies in the end made his own decision, he took his own counsel," Mr Hughes added. On Sir Menzies' surprise resignation on Monday, he told the BBC: "I think it is a sad business that there have been, I think, quite a lot of ageist comments about Ming. Obviously it is a very private decision and one that he took carefully."
See party leaders' public approval ratings
Among others who have told the BBC they are sounding out colleagues about whether they should stand are Steve Webb, who is in charge of writing up the party's election manifesto, and Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming.
Steven Williams, MP for Bristol West, previously supported Chris Huhne but said he would be talking to him, Nick Clegg and Steve Webb later before making his mind up.
"I think all three of them have been ringing around colleagues to see whether they can muster enough support in order to mount a credible leadership bid. This is going to be a different sort of election from what we went through about 18 months ago."
There wasn't a plot, Ming made the decision his own way yesterday Lord Rennard Analysis: Why Campbell went Nick Robinson's view
Mr Hughes, who has stood for the leadership twice before, has ruled himself out of this contest.
He told the BBC the party owed Sir Menzies "a huge debt of gratitude", and said he had taken "his own counsel", rather than being forced out.
But Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock is among those who believes Sir Menzies was hounded out by members of the party.
"Why should he have to take some of the back-biting from people who couldn't say it to his face?," he said.
'Real tragedy'
The party's chief executive and elections expert, Lord Rennard, denied he had been forced out, telling the BBC: "There wasn't a plot, Ming made the decision his own way yesterday."
He said it was a "real tragedy" for Sir Menzies that a general election campaign had not been called for November, as he expected the party to have done "extremely well".
I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one Lord Ashdown Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Reaction in quotes
The official announcement was made on Monday evening by Mr Cable and Mr Hughes, who said Sir Menzies had taken the decision in the "interests of the party and of Liberal Democracy".
Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown described Sir Menzies' resignation as "a selfless act by an honourable man who put his party first".Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown described Sir Menzies' resignation as "a selfless act by an honourable man who put his party first".
'Hounded out'
"I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The peer said he had planned to meet Sir Menzies on Tuesday to discuss his future.The peer said he had planned to meet Sir Menzies on Tuesday to discuss his future.
December announcement
"I was going to say to him: 'Look, Menzies, it's going to be quite tough for you to continue until an election in 2009 but the one thing is very clear and that is when you go, go on your own terms and go when you want to go'. He beat me to it," he said."I was going to say to him: 'Look, Menzies, it's going to be quite tough for you to continue until an election in 2009 but the one thing is very clear and that is when you go, go on your own terms and go when you want to go'. He beat me to it," he said.
I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one Lord Ashdown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7045708.stm">Analysis: Why Campbell went class="" href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2007/10/third_time_luck.html">Nick Robinson's view The official contest to select a successor has already begun, with the winner due to be announced on 17 December.
Nick Clegg, one of the Lib Dem MPs tipped to succeed Sir Menzies, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and "close friends" before deciding whether to stand for the leadership. HAVE YOUR SAY I am saddened that such a steady and trustworthy person was unpopular solely because of his age Will Stobart class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3684&edition=1">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7046010.stm">In full: Resignation letter
"Events have been very, very sudden. They've taken me by surprise, many people by surprise," he said.
He added that he had spoken to Sir Menzies, who he described as behaving "with extraordinary dignity and integrity".
But the Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock said he believed Sir Menzies had been hounded out by members of the party.
"Why should he have to take some of the back-biting from people who couldn't say it to his face," he said.
See party leaders' public approval ratings
The official announcement was made by Mr Cable and Mr Hughes, who said Sir Menzies had taken the decision in the "interests of the party and of Liberal Democracy".
Ming has earned the gratitude, the respect and the affection of our party Vincent CableDeputy leader Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Reaction in quotes
Following his departure the official contest to select his successor has already begun, with the winner due to be announced on 17 December.
In his letter, Sir Menzies said he had sought to restore stability, purpose and professionalism to the party's internal operations and to prepare it for a general election, when he took over as leader in March 2006.
Poor polls
"With the help of others, I believe that I have fulfilled these objectives, although I am convinced that the internal structures of the party need radical revision if we are to compete effectively against Labour and the Conservatives," he said.
Mr Cable and Mr Hughes made the announcement
Speculation had been growing about the Lib Dem leadership, particularly since Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided not to call an early general election - and indicated he may not do so until 2009 at the earliest.Speculation had been growing about the Lib Dem leadership, particularly since Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided not to call an early general election - and indicated he may not do so until 2009 at the earliest.
And talk of replacing Sir Menzies as leader appears to have been stirred by poor opinion poll results - the latest being an ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph which suggested Conservative support at 43% with Labour on 36% and the Lib Dems on 14%.And talk of replacing Sir Menzies as leader appears to have been stirred by poor opinion poll results - the latest being an ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph which suggested Conservative support at 43% with Labour on 36% and the Lib Dems on 14%.
Mr Cable said he did not think Sir Menzies was pushed: "There was a very open debate about this immediately that Gordon Brown made his decision to postpone the election which could now be two years hence.
HAVE YOUR SAY I am saddened that such a steady and trustworthy person was unpopular solely because of his age Will Stobart Send us your comments In full: Resignation letter
"I think he [Sir Menzies] took a fresh look at where he stood. He discussed this with his family and colleagues and decided the best thing he could do in the interests of the party was step aside."
Since he became leader Sir Menzies, 66, has repeatedly had to defend himself against accusations that he was too old to lead the party.Since he became leader Sir Menzies, 66, has repeatedly had to defend himself against accusations that he was too old to lead the party.
Data not available for September 2006 and February and March 2007.Data not available for September 2006 and February and March 2007.
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