Lib Dem Leadership Race

10.02.06

My party - the Liberal Democrats – are in the middle of a leadership election. It’s a fascinating exercise in democracy, with meetings across the country and every party member having one vote.

We are fortunate to have 3 excellent candidates – Ming Campbell, Simon Hughes and Chris Huhne. All of them have different strengths, so it’s not easy for people who don’t know them to judge. 

However, unlike the other parties, the policy direction of the Liberal Democrats does not rest on this one contest. We are a democratic party, not just in electing a Leader, but also in forming policy. Whoever wins, I don’t predict a sharp change in policy.

Yet having known all three candidates for over 10 years, I’ve been certain from the start that I will vote for Ming Campbell to be the next leader.

For many reasons: the credibility he brings to the leadership, the professionalism he shows in managing teams and the depth of his liberalism.  Under his acting leadership, the Liberal Democrats pulled off a most astonishing by-election victory in Dunfermline, with David Cameron’s Conservatives losing votes in fourth place!

However, Ming isn’t just one of the most respected voices in British politics today, with the capacity to lead the Liberal Democrats to success. Having worked closely with Ming, it’s also his personal warmth - how caring he is towards staff, his willingness to listen and his sense of humour.

With our large local party the voters of Kingston Liberal Democrats could end up deciding the outcome – a high turnout is expected!