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Huhne 'to bid for Lib Dem leader' Huhne set to launch Lib Dem bid
(about 4 hours later)
Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne is expected to announce his bid to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as the leadership race officially begins.Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne is expected to announce his bid to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as the leadership race officially begins.
Alongside home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, Mr Huhne is seen as one of the strongest contenders for the top job.Alongside home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, Mr Huhne is seen as one of the strongest contenders for the top job.
Mr Huhne, 53, is expected to make a statement on Wednesday and up to seven MPs are considering running. He is expected to make a statement on Wednesday, with several other MPs considering entering the contest.
Acting leader Vincent Cable, who will take Sir Menzies' place at prime minister's questions, will not stand. Acting leader Vincent Cable, transport spokeswoman Susan Kramer and elections co-ordinator Ed Davey are not running.
Mr Cable, 64, said he had concluded that an older candidate would not be electable because of the "irrational prejudice" about age that dogged Sir Menzies' leadership. Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, 47, who has been widely touted as a candidate, said it was "highly unlikely" he would stand again, adding: "You should never say never in politics, but as close to never as you can get."
Nominations for the job opened on Tuesday, with other possible runners in the frame including: Steve Webb, Ed Davey, Susan Kramer and John Hemming.
'Irritated and frustrated''Irritated and frustrated'
Sir Menzies said he resigned because the media's obsession with his age made it very hard to get policies across. Nominations opened on Tuesday, with other possible runners including party manifesto writer Steve Webb and backbencher John Hemming.
Speaking to the BBC he said he was "irritated and frustrated" at having to step down, after 18 months in the job. Mr Cable, 64, said he had concluded that an older candidate would not be electable because of the "irrational prejudice" about age that had dogged Sir Menzies' leadership.
Ms Kramer, 57, a former London mayoral candidate, said she had decided not to put her name forward.
I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me Sir Menzies Campbell Sir Menzies tells of 'irritation' Could Kennedy bounce back? I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me Sir Menzies Campbell Sir Menzies tells of 'irritation' Could Kennedy bounce back?
"Irritated because of the quite extraordinary concentration of trivia which seem to surround leadership - people write articles on what kind of socks I wear. And Mr Davey, 41, said: "Having discussed things with my wife and colleagues, the imminent birth of our first child must take priority over politics and so therefore I have decided not to stand."
"Frustrated at not getting the opportunity to lead the party in a general election, and I think our policies and our principles and our values would have been right at the very centre of the political agenda." He offered his support for Mr Clegg, who he said would be "an inspirational leader for his party".
Asked if he thought he would have been forced out, had he decided to stay longer, Sir Menzies said he could not speculate about the future, but added: "I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me. Mr Clegg, 40, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and close friends before deciding whether to stand.
"If I had decided to go on and anyone had tried to move against me then I would have dealt with them pretty sharply. This was my decision. I took this decision." 'Irritated'
Soundings
He said he hoped the person "best qualified to lead" would come out of a "very strenuous and robust leadership contest". He said he had an idea who he would like to win, but added: "The best thing for ex-leaders, as I now am, is to keep their own counsel."
Mr Clegg, 40, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and close friends before deciding whether to stand for the leadership.
Mr Huhne has not said if he will stand - but sources close to him have told the BBC he is likely to make a statement on Wednesday.Mr Huhne has not said if he will stand - but sources close to him have told the BBC he is likely to make a statement on Wednesday.
Party president Simon Hughes, who has stood for the leadership twice before, has ruled himself out of this contest. In a BBC interview, Sir Menzies said he had resigned because the media's obsession with his age made it very hard to get policies across, adding that he was "irritated and frustrated" at having to step down, after 18 months in the job.
Asked if he thought he would have been forced out, had he decided to stay longer, he said he could not speculate about the future, but added: "I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me.
"If I had decided to go on and anyone had tried to move against me then I would have dealt with them pretty sharply. This was my decision. I took this decision."
Sir Menzies said he hoped the person "best qualified to lead" would come out of a "very strenuous and robust leadership contest". He said he had an idea who he would like to win, but would not give a name.
Party president Simon Hughes, who has stood for the leadership twice before, ruled himself out of this contest earlier this week.
Nominations close on Wednesday 31 October and those with sufficient backing will put their case to party members.Nominations close on Wednesday 31 October and those with sufficient backing will put their case to party members.
Ballot papers will be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from 21 November and the winner will be announced on 17 December.Ballot papers will be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from 21 November and the winner will be announced on 17 December.