Norman Lamb pulls no punches on the LibDem’s prospects…
“… it’s quite hard at the moment to define a route back to relevance for the Lib Dems.”
Former Lib Dem leadership candidate Norman Lamb has revealed he will stand down at the next election. His local Eastern Daily Press is reporting that “he feels he will be more effective outside of parliament than inside it.” Developing…
In the 2015 leadership race, Lamb represented the liberal side of the party, and Farron campaigned as a social democrat. If Lamb had become leader perhaps the party would have been something other than an anti-Brexit pressure group…
Norman Lamb has ended his silence and announced he won’t be running for LibDem leader. Just Cable and Davey left in the running…
The bookies’ favourite Jo Swinson has decided not to stand, noting “most blokes in my shoes would run for leader like a shot”. Indeed she has a point, the remaining field is a bunch of boring bald, grey or balding, grey blokes ready to lead the LibDems into mediocrity.
- Norman Lamb: The new bookies’ favourite, probably because he has been so loudly taking soundings about whether he should run.
- Sir Ed Davey: LibDems are increasingly tipping Davey as the most likely next leader. Has a growing online band of supporters sharing stories about how he saved a woman’s life. Wants it badly.
- Sir Vince Cable: Now the third favourite, Vince’s odds have moved out over the last few days as LibDems look for a younger option. Though his supporters will argue Swinson stepping aside could see him as a two-year caretaker option.
- Tom Brake: Not grey or bald but human beige. Still hasn’t ruled himself out. Probably should.
At least Swinson would have been a relative breath of fresh air.
The LibDems have 12 MPs, and it is entirely possible a third of the parliamentary party could put themselves forwards as leadership candidates to replace Tim Farron. And there will be more knights running than women. Guido brings you your runners and riders…
- Jo Swinson: The early favourite. Won her seat back in East Dunbartonshire, at 37 her allies say she is the youngest, freshest candidate and more exciting than Vince Cable, who would take the party “from Dad to Grandad“. But are the LibDems ready for a woman leader?
- Sir Vince Cable: He has always harboured ambitions and his allies say he could be an interim “Brexit leader” who would run the party for two years before stepping aside and allowing Swinson to fight an election. Though Vince has gone a bit funny recently, his Diane Abbott moment during the campaign will not inspire the confidence of members.
- Sir Ed Davey: No secret he’s always fancied the job, he began scheming against Farron as soon as he won his seat back. His irritable personality isn’t exactly endearing and he was the Energy Secretary who struck the “worst ever” deal for Hinckley Point, and then took a job as a paid lobbyist for a firm representing the successful bidder. Is that really the sort of person the LibDems want?
- Norman Lamb: Held his seat against the odds and now the bookies make him second favourite to be leader. Last night he told Question Time that he was thinking about running. Seems a more decent bloke than some of the others on this list, though that isn’t hard. Sensible enough to defy Farron and abstain on the Article 50 vote rather than vote against.
- Tom Brake: Tipped by the Guardian to the amusement of LibDem colleagues. He is known in LibDem circles as “human beige”. Mired in all sorts of murky goings on in his rotten borough of Carshalton. Those local stories would soon go national if he were leader.
- Alastair Carmichael: Proven liar, but since when has that ever stopped a LibDem? Has ruled himself out.
What a choice…
Clive Lewis is set to crash out of parliament on June 8, according to analysis by the respected academic Dr Chris Hanretty. His look at constituencies in the East of England for the University of East Anglia says the probability of Lewis holding his seat is just 26%, with a 74% likelihood that the Tories will gain Norwich South. Guido has previously reported how Lewis put his embryonic leadership bid on hold as he battles to save his job.
The Hanretty model also says there is a 100% probability that LibDem Norman Lamb will lose his North Norfolk seat to the Tories. A Lamb to the slaughter, if you will. Reminder that the LibDems might end up losing seats…
