Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lib Dem leadership contest
At present the Lib Dem leadership contest looks like being a contest between MPs Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg.
Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg took part in two unofficial hustings over the weekend, at the party’s South Central Regional Conference in Newbury on Saturday, and on BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (click here to view). The two leadership contenders told Andrew Marr there are no fundamental differences between them on policy. Chris Huhne said the party would have to choose "who is going to best present" its case. Nick Clegg also stressed communication skills, saying he could speak in a "plain, direct" way to disaffected voters and create a sense of "dynamism". In an article in the Sunday Telegraph Chris Huhne brands David Cameron and Gordon Brown “the Tory twins”. Responding to a Q&A in The Independent Chris says that if he won the contest he would offer Charles Kennedy a place on his front bench. "He is far too big a talent for him to sit on the subs' bench rather than play on the field," says Chris. Nick said he would ask Charles to be part of a new committee to help guide his leadership. He has written to him and plans similar invitations to Ming Campbell, Paddy Ashdown, David Steel and Shirley Williams.
Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg took part in two unofficial hustings over the weekend, at the party’s South Central Regional Conference in Newbury on Saturday, and on BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (click here to view). The two leadership contenders told Andrew Marr there are no fundamental differences between them on policy. Chris Huhne said the party would have to choose "who is going to best present" its case. Nick Clegg also stressed communication skills, saying he could speak in a "plain, direct" way to disaffected voters and create a sense of "dynamism". In an article in the Sunday Telegraph Chris Huhne brands David Cameron and Gordon Brown “the Tory twins”. Responding to a Q&A in The Independent Chris says that if he won the contest he would offer Charles Kennedy a place on his front bench. "He is far too big a talent for him to sit on the subs' bench rather than play on the field," says Chris. Nick said he would ask Charles to be part of a new committee to help guide his leadership. He has written to him and plans similar invitations to Ming Campbell, Paddy Ashdown, David Steel and Shirley Williams.
# posted by John Beanse @ 8:47 AM 
