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18/10/2007
Clegg Gets Webb's Support In Lib Dem Race
Steve Webb has announced that he will not enter the Liberal Democrat leadership race, but will support Nick Clegg's campaign.
Mr Webb, who writes the party's manifesto, said that he had considered standing, but had decided not to because of his family and because of his belief in Mr Clegg's abilities.
He said: "We now need a leader who will excel in communicating those core Lib Dem values and policies and who has the strategic political judgment that we need.
"I believe that Nick best combines those qualities and can take our party on to a new level."
Mr Clegg, the party's home affairs spokesperson, is expected to launch his campaign for the party leadership on Friday.
The only officially declared candidate so far is the party's environment spokesperson Chris Huhne, who confirmed that he was running on Wednesday.
The party's acting leader Vince Cable has confirmed that he will no be entering the race, along with transport spokesperson Susan Kramer, Ed Davey, who was former leader Sir Menzies Campbell's chief of staff and party president Simon Hughes.
The leadership contest was sparked by Sir Menzies' shock resignation as party leader on Monday, just 18 months after taking over the role from Charles Kennedy.
Nominations for the contest opened on Tuesday and will close on October 31. Ballot papers will then be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from November 21 and the new party leader will be announced on December 17.
(KMcA)
Mr Webb, who writes the party's manifesto, said that he had considered standing, but had decided not to because of his family and because of his belief in Mr Clegg's abilities.
He said: "We now need a leader who will excel in communicating those core Lib Dem values and policies and who has the strategic political judgment that we need.
"I believe that Nick best combines those qualities and can take our party on to a new level."
Mr Clegg, the party's home affairs spokesperson, is expected to launch his campaign for the party leadership on Friday.
The only officially declared candidate so far is the party's environment spokesperson Chris Huhne, who confirmed that he was running on Wednesday.
The party's acting leader Vince Cable has confirmed that he will no be entering the race, along with transport spokesperson Susan Kramer, Ed Davey, who was former leader Sir Menzies Campbell's chief of staff and party president Simon Hughes.
The leadership contest was sparked by Sir Menzies' shock resignation as party leader on Monday, just 18 months after taking over the role from Charles Kennedy.
Nominations for the contest opened on Tuesday and will close on October 31. Ballot papers will then be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from November 21 and the new party leader will be announced on December 17.
(KMcA)
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Clegg Launches Campaign For Lib Dem Leadership
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
