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Huhne and Clegg vie to be leader Huhne and Clegg vie to be leader
(20 minutes later)
Nominations for the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as Lib Dem leader are due to close with Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne set to be the only contenders.Nominations for the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as Lib Dem leader are due to close with Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne set to be the only contenders.
Mr Clegg is backed by 27 Lib Dem MPs, while Mr Huhne has 10. Both are making last ditch attempts to win more votes before nominations close at 1600 BST. Mr Clegg is backed by 27 Lib Dem MPs, while Mr Huhne has 10. Both are making last ditch attempts to win more votes before nominations close at 1600 GMT.
Both men have pledged to lead a campaign of mass civil disobedience if ID cards are made compulsory.Both men have pledged to lead a campaign of mass civil disobedience if ID cards are made compulsory.
The contest will be decided by a month long ballot of 70,000 party members.The contest will be decided by a month long ballot of 70,000 party members.
Just hours after the nominations close, both men are due to take part in the first of 10 hustings, speaking for up to 15 minutes each before taking questions from the floor.Just hours after the nominations close, both men are due to take part in the first of 10 hustings, speaking for up to 15 minutes each before taking questions from the floor.
BallotBallot
The leadership race was sparked two weeks ago by the sudden resignation of Sir Menzies, who blamed ageism for his decision to quit.The leadership race was sparked two weeks ago by the sudden resignation of Sir Menzies, who blamed ageism for his decision to quit.
Ballot papers will be sent out to party members on 21 November, with the new leader unveiled on 17 December.Ballot papers will be sent out to party members on 21 November, with the new leader unveiled on 17 December.
You cannot properly equip our soldiers and spend £20bn on replacing Trident Chris HuhneYou cannot properly equip our soldiers and spend £20bn on replacing Trident Chris Huhne
Ahead of the hustings, Mr Huhne set out his leadership manifesto with a slight dig at his rival Mr Clegg, by saying he would be no "stunt double" for Tory leader David Cameron.Ahead of the hustings, Mr Huhne set out his leadership manifesto with a slight dig at his rival Mr Clegg, by saying he would be no "stunt double" for Tory leader David Cameron.
He said he was opposed to the Trident missile deterrent, arguing that Lib Dems should say now that they will not replace it.He said he was opposed to the Trident missile deterrent, arguing that Lib Dems should say now that they will not replace it.
"You cannot properly equip our soldiers and spend £20bn on replacing Trident," he said. "We must back our troops and not Trident.""You cannot properly equip our soldiers and spend £20bn on replacing Trident," he said. "We must back our troops and not Trident."
He promised a "people's veto" over unpopular legislation, with a public referendum on new laws if enough people are opposed to them within a period of up to 100 days of their passage through Parliament.He promised a "people's veto" over unpopular legislation, with a public referendum on new laws if enough people are opposed to them within a period of up to 100 days of their passage through Parliament.
He suggested that the number of voters needed to spark a referendum should be 2.5% of the population.He suggested that the number of voters needed to spark a referendum should be 2.5% of the population.
I am willing to do everything in my power to stop this intrusive, expensive and unnecessary imposition on the liberty of the British people Nick Clegg on ID cardsI am willing to do everything in my power to stop this intrusive, expensive and unnecessary imposition on the liberty of the British people Nick Clegg on ID cards
And he also emphasised his age and experience as he underlined differences between himself and Mr Clegg, who at 40 is 13 years his junior.And he also emphasised his age and experience as he underlined differences between himself and Mr Clegg, who at 40 is 13 years his junior.
"I'm certainly not proposing to be David Cameron's stunt double - I have far too much grey hair," he said at the launch of his manifesto. "I think it's essential that we stress our differences, that we are different from both Labour and the Conservatives," he said.
"I think it's essential that we stress our differences, that we are different from both Labour and the Conservatives." Under him, Lib Dems would be "on the move", and he suggested that he would be prepared to enter coalition talks with either Labour or the Conservatives if either failed to achieve a majority at the next election, on condition to concessions on electoral reform.
Mr Huhne said he would match Mr Clegg's promise to lead a campaign against ID card legislation. Mr Huhne said he would match Mr Clegg's promise to lead a campaign against ID card legislation, pointing out that he had long promoted civil liberties.
"I don't think it's right that a government with 35% of the vote has a legitimate mandate to impose something so unpopular and corrosive to traditional freedoms in Britain as ID cards," he said.
In his pitch, Mr Clegg offered to lead a "people's campaign" against the controversial measure, adding that he was prepared to be hauled before the courts.In his pitch, Mr Clegg offered to lead a "people's campaign" against the controversial measure, adding that he was prepared to be hauled before the courts.
Refusing to register?Refusing to register?
Mr Clegg renewed his passport in May last year to avoid being placed on the new National Identity Register for another 10 years.Mr Clegg renewed his passport in May last year to avoid being placed on the new National Identity Register for another 10 years.
He said he would also be asking Lib Dem-controlled councils to ensure no local services required an ID card.He said he would also be asking Lib Dem-controlled councils to ensure no local services required an ID card.
"If the government seeks to make ID cards compulsory on every British citizen, I will lead a people's campaign to thwart the programme," he said."If the government seeks to make ID cards compulsory on every British citizen, I will lead a people's campaign to thwart the programme," he said.
"I, and I expect thousands of people like me, will refuse to be forced to register."I, and I expect thousands of people like me, will refuse to be forced to register.
"This is an issue that is so contrary to the spirit of British liberty and privacy that I would not be able to stand by."This is an issue that is so contrary to the spirit of British liberty and privacy that I would not be able to stand by.
"I am willing to do everything in my power to stop this intrusive, expensive and unnecessary imposition on the liberty of the British people.""I am willing to do everything in my power to stop this intrusive, expensive and unnecessary imposition on the liberty of the British people."