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13/01/2006
Huhne enters Lib Dem leadership race
Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne has become the fourth candidate to enter the party's leadership contest.
The 51-year-old, who became MP for Eastleigh at the last general election, is a former MEP and Guardian journalist.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Huhne highlighted his experience in the European Parliament, where he spent six years as an MEP saying that it gave him a "very real chance" of winning the contest.
Mr Huhne joins party president Simon Hughes, home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten and acting party leader Sir Menzies Campbell in the leadership contest, which was launched in the wake of Charles Kennedy's resignation last week, after he admitted having a drink problem.
Mr Hughes announced his intention to run for the party leadership on Thursday. Speaking at the Oxo Tower in London, the 54-year-old Bermondsey MP, who was beaten by Mr Kennedy in the last leadership contest in 1999, said that he believed he could unite the party and lead them to greater electoral success.
Mr Hughes has now become the favourite to win the leadership contest, overtaking former frontrunner Sir Menzies, whose campaign suffered a setback following his performance at Prime Minister's question time this week, which was widely criticised as being poor.
However, Sir Menzies is believed to have the support of more than a third of the party's MPs, as well as the backing of two of the party's former leaders - Lord Steel and Lord Ashdown.
In order to enter the leadership contest, an MP has to receive the backing of at least seven Liberal Democrat MPs. However, MPs can nominate more than one candidate.
The deadline for candidate nominations is January 25. Ballots will be sent to party members on February 6 and the vote will close on March 1. The new party leader will be announced on March 2.
(KMcA/GB)
The 51-year-old, who became MP for Eastleigh at the last general election, is a former MEP and Guardian journalist.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Huhne highlighted his experience in the European Parliament, where he spent six years as an MEP saying that it gave him a "very real chance" of winning the contest.
Mr Huhne joins party president Simon Hughes, home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten and acting party leader Sir Menzies Campbell in the leadership contest, which was launched in the wake of Charles Kennedy's resignation last week, after he admitted having a drink problem.
Mr Hughes announced his intention to run for the party leadership on Thursday. Speaking at the Oxo Tower in London, the 54-year-old Bermondsey MP, who was beaten by Mr Kennedy in the last leadership contest in 1999, said that he believed he could unite the party and lead them to greater electoral success.
Mr Hughes has now become the favourite to win the leadership contest, overtaking former frontrunner Sir Menzies, whose campaign suffered a setback following his performance at Prime Minister's question time this week, which was widely criticised as being poor.
However, Sir Menzies is believed to have the support of more than a third of the party's MPs, as well as the backing of two of the party's former leaders - Lord Steel and Lord Ashdown.
In order to enter the leadership contest, an MP has to receive the backing of at least seven Liberal Democrat MPs. However, MPs can nominate more than one candidate.
The deadline for candidate nominations is January 25. Ballots will be sent to party members on February 6 and the vote will close on March 1. The new party leader will be announced on March 2.
(KMcA/GB)
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20 October 2005
Fox out in Tory MP vote
Dr Liam Fox has become the second candidate to be eliminated in the Conservative leadership contest, leaving David Cameron and David Davis as the final two contenders. As widely predicted, Mr Cameron topped the poll with 90 votes from his fellow MPs. Mr Davis secured 57 votes and Dr Fox got 51.
Fox out in Tory MP vote
Dr Liam Fox has become the second candidate to be eliminated in the Conservative leadership contest, leaving David Cameron and David Davis as the final two contenders. As widely predicted, Mr Cameron topped the poll with 90 votes from his fellow MPs. Mr Davis secured 57 votes and Dr Fox got 51.
09 January 2006
Kennedy resignation leads to Lib Dem leadership contest
The Liberal Democrats are set for a leadership battle, following Charles Kennedy's resignation on Saturday. The party's deputy leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, is the only candidate to announce his intention to run for the leadership so far.
Kennedy resignation leads to Lib Dem leadership contest
The Liberal Democrats are set for a leadership battle, following Charles Kennedy's resignation on Saturday. The party's deputy leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, is the only candidate to announce his intention to run for the leadership so far.
17 October 2007
Lib Dem Leadership Candidates Jockey For Position
Speculation is beginning to mount over who will be entering the Liberal Democrat leadership contest. The party's environment spokesperson Chris Huhne was the first to announce that he would be entering the race. Mr Huhne, along with the party's home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, are currently considered to be the frontrunners for the job.
Lib Dem Leadership Candidates Jockey For Position
Speculation is beginning to mount over who will be entering the Liberal Democrat leadership contest. The party's environment spokesperson Chris Huhne was the first to announce that he would be entering the race. Mr Huhne, along with the party's home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, are currently considered to be the frontrunners for the job.
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.
11 October 2005
Rifkind withdraws from Tory leadership contest
Sir Malcolm Rifkind has withdrawn from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party. Sir Malcolm, the former Foreign Secretary, had been the rank outsider to replace Michael Howard as party leader.
Rifkind withdraws from Tory leadership contest
Sir Malcolm Rifkind has withdrawn from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party. Sir Malcolm, the former Foreign Secretary, had been the rank outsider to replace Michael Howard as party leader.
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