Menu
10/01/2006
Oaten to run for Lib Dem leadership
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten has announced that he will run for leadership of the party.
Mr Oaten will challenge the party's deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell in the leadership contest, which was announced after Charles Kennedy's resignation.
Mr Oaten said that he wanted to "modernise" the Liberal Democrats and to take on the "nanny-state" Labour party and expose the "fake" liberalism of David Cameron's Conservatives.
Simon Hughes, the Lib Dem party president, is widely seen as the only other likely candidate in the race and is expected to announce his intentions this week.
Sir Menzies is believed to have the backing of more than a third of the party's MPs. Two of the party's former leaders, Lord Steel and Lord Ashdown, have also declared their support for him.
Details of the election of the party's new leader were announced last night, following a meeting of the party's Federal Executive.
The deadline for nominations will be January 25 and ballot papers will be sent to all of the party's 73,000 members by February 6.
The deadline for the return of the ballot papers is March 1 and the new leader will be announced on March 2.
Charles Kennedy announced his resignation on Saturday, two days after making a personal statement admitting to a drink problem.
A poll conducted for 'The Times' found that support for the Liberal Democrats has dropped 3% - from 19% to 16% - following Mr Kennedy's resignation. It is the party's lowest rating since 2001, the paper said.
(KMcA/GB)
Mr Oaten will challenge the party's deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell in the leadership contest, which was announced after Charles Kennedy's resignation.
Mr Oaten said that he wanted to "modernise" the Liberal Democrats and to take on the "nanny-state" Labour party and expose the "fake" liberalism of David Cameron's Conservatives.
Simon Hughes, the Lib Dem party president, is widely seen as the only other likely candidate in the race and is expected to announce his intentions this week.
Sir Menzies is believed to have the backing of more than a third of the party's MPs. Two of the party's former leaders, Lord Steel and Lord Ashdown, have also declared their support for him.
Details of the election of the party's new leader were announced last night, following a meeting of the party's Federal Executive.
The deadline for nominations will be January 25 and ballot papers will be sent to all of the party's 73,000 members by February 6.
The deadline for the return of the ballot papers is March 1 and the new leader will be announced on March 2.
Charles Kennedy announced his resignation on Saturday, two days after making a personal statement admitting to a drink problem.
A poll conducted for 'The Times' found that support for the Liberal Democrats has dropped 3% - from 19% to 16% - following Mr Kennedy's resignation. It is the party's lowest rating since 2001, the paper said.
(KMcA/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
09 May 2005
Senior Conservatives quit Shadow Cabinet
Senior Conservatives Nicolas Soames and Tim Yeo have announced plans to leave the Shadow Cabinet. The announcement follows party leader Michael Howard’s decision to stand down shortly as party leader. Mr Yeo, the shadow environment and transport secretary, said that he wanted to concentrate on “non-traditional” issues, such as the environment.
Senior Conservatives quit Shadow Cabinet
Senior Conservatives Nicolas Soames and Tim Yeo have announced plans to leave the Shadow Cabinet. The announcement follows party leader Michael Howard’s decision to stand down shortly as party leader. Mr Yeo, the shadow environment and transport secretary, said that he wanted to concentrate on “non-traditional” issues, such as the environment.
23 January 2006
Lib Dems battle on in wake of Oaten revelations
The Liberal Democrats are struggling to restore their reputation, in the wake of revelations over MP Mark Oaten's alleged affair with a male prostitute. The 41-year-old Winchester MP stood down as the party's home affairs spokesperson at the weekend, following claims in the 'News of the World' that he had been regularly visiting a male prostitute.
Lib Dems battle on in wake of Oaten revelations
The Liberal Democrats are struggling to restore their reputation, in the wake of revelations over MP Mark Oaten's alleged affair with a male prostitute. The 41-year-old Winchester MP stood down as the party's home affairs spokesperson at the weekend, following claims in the 'News of the World' that he had been regularly visiting a male prostitute.
25 January 2006
Lib Dems leadership nominations close
Nominations for the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party have closed. Three candidates will take part in the leadership contest - acting party leader Sir Menzies Campbell is seen as the favourite, followed by party president Simon Hughes and newly elected MP Chris Huhne, who is the party's economic spokesperson.
Lib Dems leadership nominations close
Nominations for the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party have closed. Three candidates will take part in the leadership contest - acting party leader Sir Menzies Campbell is seen as the favourite, followed by party president Simon Hughes and newly elected MP Chris Huhne, who is the party's economic spokesperson.
02 March 2006
Sir Menzies becomes new Lib Dem leader
Sir Menzies Campbell has won the Liberal Democrat leadership contest to become party leader. Sir Menzies, the party's foreign affairs spokesperson and the acting party leader, gained 58% of the final round vote. He beat Chris Huhne, the party's economic spokesperson, who came second, and party president Simon Hughes, who came third.
Sir Menzies becomes new Lib Dem leader
Sir Menzies Campbell has won the Liberal Democrat leadership contest to become party leader. Sir Menzies, the party's foreign affairs spokesperson and the acting party leader, gained 58% of the final round vote. He beat Chris Huhne, the party's economic spokesperson, who came second, and party president Simon Hughes, who came third.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
