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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dem hopefuls go head-to-head | Lib Dem hopefuls go head-to-head |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| The only two Liberal Democrat MPs to declare themselves as candidates for the party leadership so far are to go head-to-head at a conference later. | The only two Liberal Democrat MPs to declare themselves as candidates for the party leadership so far are to go head-to-head at a conference later. |
| Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg will address a conference of party activists in Berkshire, which was planned before Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader. | Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg will address a conference of party activists in Berkshire, which was planned before Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader. |
| It will be the first chance for some of those who will choose their next leader to see those bidding for the job. | It will be the first chance for some of those who will choose their next leader to see those bidding for the job. |
| Sir Menzies' successor will be announced in December. | Sir Menzies' successor will be announced in December. |
| Any other potential candidates have another 10 days to put themselves forward for the position. | Any other potential candidates have another 10 days to put themselves forward for the position. |
| Two-horse race | Two-horse race |
| Mr Clegg, who is 40 and the party's home affairs spokesman, announced his candidacy on Friday. | Mr Clegg, who is 40 and the party's home affairs spokesman, announced his candidacy on Friday. |
| He is the current favourite to win the leadership contest. | He is the current favourite to win the leadership contest. |
| NICK CLEGG AGE: 40JOB: Home Affairs spokesmanFAMILY: Married, two childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, lecturer and Euro MP Profile: Nick Clegg Campaign launch | |
| At his launch in his Sheffield Hallam constituency, Mr Clegg told activists the party had been "caught-up in internal self-analysis" for the past two years. | At his launch in his Sheffield Hallam constituency, Mr Clegg told activists the party had been "caught-up in internal self-analysis" for the past two years. |
| "We cannot go on testing the patience of the British people. We must come together now and make a long-term commitment to British Liberalism. | "We cannot go on testing the patience of the British people. We must come together now and make a long-term commitment to British Liberalism. |
| "We must step up or risk falling back for good." | "We must step up or risk falling back for good." |
| Mr Huhne, 53, the party's environment spokesman, launched his leadership bid at a Westminster restaurant on Wednesday. | Mr Huhne, 53, the party's environment spokesman, launched his leadership bid at a Westminster restaurant on Wednesday. |
| He said he wanted the party to be committed to the idea that "everybody's individual worth and chance is given its full possibility". | He said he wanted the party to be committed to the idea that "everybody's individual worth and chance is given its full possibility". |
| CHRIS HUHNE AGE: 53JOB: Environment spokesmanFAMILY: Married, five childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, businessman and Euro MP Profile: Chris Huhne Campaign launch | |
| Mr Clegg told the BBC on Friday that the contest would, in all probability, be a two-horse race. | Mr Clegg told the BBC on Friday that the contest would, in all probability, be a two-horse race. |
| Both men attended the same public school and were MEPs before entering Parliament in 2005. | Both men attended the same public school and were MEPs before entering Parliament in 2005. |
| 'Content' Kennedy | 'Content' Kennedy |
| The leadership race was prompted by the surprise resignation of Sir Menzies on Monday. | The leadership race was prompted by the surprise resignation of Sir Menzies on Monday. |
| He said questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". | He said questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". |
| A number of senior figures - including acting leader Vince Cable and MP David Laws - have ruled themselves out of the running to replace him. | A number of senior figures - including acting leader Vince Cable and MP David Laws - have ruled themselves out of the running to replace him. |
| Meanwhile, former leader Charles Kennedy has said he will not be endorsing a candidate and is unlikely to throw his own hat into the ring despite receiving "thousands" of e-mails urging him to do so. | Meanwhile, former leader Charles Kennedy has said he will not be endorsing a candidate and is unlikely to throw his own hat into the ring despite receiving "thousands" of e-mails urging him to do so. |
| Mr Kennedy, who quit in early 2006, insisted he was "content" with his life at present. | Mr Kennedy, who quit in early 2006, insisted he was "content" with his life at present. |