Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2007

Liberal Democrats leadership election

17 October 2007 – 18 December 2007

Candidate Nick Clegg Chris Huhne Votes Received 20,988 20,477 Percentage 50.6 49.4

Leader before election Sir Menzies Campbell Elected Leader Nick Clegg

The 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election was held following the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell as leader on 15 October 2007, after 19 months as leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. Vincent Cable, the deputy leader of the parliamentary party, was acting leader until the conclusion of the leadership election.^[1] The result was announced on 18 December 2007 with Nick Clegg winning by a narrow margin of 1.2%.^[2]

Background

Nick Clegg was elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The resignation of Menzies Campbell came after a period of speculation about his future as party leader. This was seen as due to media-inspired concerns over his age and poor poll ratings for the party. This speculation mounted after Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced he would not be calling a General Election in 2007.^[3] The resignation was announced by the party president Simon Hughes and the deputy leader of the parliamentary party Vincent Cable.

The rules of the contest

The timetable for the election was announced on 16 October 2007 with the new leader to be announced on 18 December.^[1] Liberal Democrat leadership elections use the Alternative Vote system, the single-winner version of the Single Transferable Vote, although, since only two candidates contested this election the contest effectively became a simple plurality vote.

Nominations for candidates opened on 16 October 2007 and closed at 16:00 (UTC+0) on 31 October: each candidate needed the support of at least 10% of Liberal Democrat MPs (i.e. 7 MPs) and at least 200 party members from at least 20 different local parties. MPs could only nominate one candidate, unlike the previous election.

A series of online and offline hustings meetings were held around the country, and were listed on the party's official news page for the contest.^[4]

Balloting of members commenced on 21 November with the distribution of ballots to party members, the deadline for their return being 15 December and the victor to be announced at around 2:30 p.m. on 18 December 2007.^[5][6][7]

Leadership campaign

Opening of the campaign

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne

In media reports and the betting markets,^[8] the front-runners were friends^[9] Nick Clegg (Home Affairs spokesperson) and Chris Huhne (Environment spokesperson). Huhne ran in the 2006 leadership election, coming second to Campbell, whom Clegg had supported.

After Campbell's surprise resignation, there was speculation as to who would run.^[8] Various contenders ruled themselves out early on (including notably Vincent Cable,^[10] Edward Davey,^[11] Lynne Featherstone,^[12] Julia Goldsworthy,^[13] Simon Hughes,^[1] Susan Kramer,^[11] David Laws,^[14] Sarah Teather^[15] and Steve Webb^[16]), leading to the possibility of only two candidates achieving sufficient nominations. Huhne launched his campaign first on Wednesday 17 October, with Clegg launching his on Friday 19 October.

John Hemming announced on his blog that he wished to stand, and that he was taking soundings from colleagues, but he went on to acknowledge that it would be too difficult for him to obtain sufficient MP nominators. Former leader Charles Kennedy initially said he was "highly unlikely" to run again, and that it is not part of his "game plan", but did not completely rule out the possibility.^[11] He later more clearly rejected the idea.

Huhne and then Clegg submitted their formal nomination paperwork. Clegg attracted most support from fellow MPs, although both candidates had high-profile supporters, including former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown for Clegg and former Liberal leader David Steel for Huhne.

Nominations closed at 16:00 (UTC+0) on 31 October 2007.^[17]

Policy differences

Nick Clegg has taken a more multilateralist line than Chris Huhne, who is opposed to the Trident ballistic missile system. Nick Clegg favours retaining half of Trident's arsenal to use as a bargaining chip in 2010 negotiations, Chris Huhne sees saving money on the nuclear deterrent as being a viable means of raising money to fund greater spending on army equipment and conventional weaponry with the possibility of a smaller deterrent system.

Chris Huhne has emphasised his opposition to voucher systems in the provision of public services. Nick Clegg denies supporting voucher systems, and has gone on record as ruling such systems out.

Nick Clegg has stated that he sees the Liberal Democrats role in a hung parliament as being to support whichever party is most likely to be able to form a government, however he has said that the other two main party leaders and their parties are both conservative and that he is neither an heir to Blair nor a Cameron clone and that he sees liberalism as being more important than ever, and has accused Chris Huhne of entering "an unholy alliance" with the SNP and Conservatives over the environment and his supporting the principle of elements of the Conservative Party plans to have English only voting for English only matters.^[18]

On most issues the two candidates share common positions on the environment, identity cards, counter-terrorism and the war in Iraq.^{[19][20][21][22]}

The campaign continues

Both candidates appeared at several hustings organised by the party. There were also joint appearances on the BBC's TV shows Question Time, Newsnight and The Politics Show, the latter of which saw a spat between the candidates after Huhne's campaign team had delivered a press briefing document to the show mistitled "Calamity Clegg", leading to a formal complaint from the Clegg team.

Huhne was generally acknowledged to have "edged" the televised debate - the candidates clashed on issues including Trident and presentation - and a straw poll following the Cambridge hustings placed Huhne as much as 2-1 ahead.^[23] However, given the unreliability of such polls, and Clegg's continued position as the bookies' favourite, the consensus in the party and media was that the two were running neck and neck.^[24] Some columnists have been critical of Clegg's debate performances.^[25]

A YouGov poll of party members gave Clegg a 56% to 44% lead in late November, although about half of respondents had yet to vote. On 3 December 2007, on the basis of another poll, Clegg claimed to be well ahead with 60% of votes cast so far in his favour.^[26]

Votes delayed in Christmas post

About 1,300 postal votes were caught up in the Christmas post and missed the election deadline. An unofficial check of the late papers showed Huhne had enough votes among them to hand him victory. Huhne stood by the result, saying "Nick Clegg won fair and square on the rules counting the ballot papers that arrived in by the deadline. There is no question of any re-run."^[27][28]

Candidates

At the close of nominations, the following had been successfully nominated.

Nick Clegg

Supporters included:

• MPs: Danny Alexander,^[29] Norman Baker,^[30] John Barrett,^[31] Sir Alan Beith,^[32] Colin Breed,^[33] Jeremy Browne,^[13] Malcolm Bruce,^[29] Alistair Carmichael,^[29] Ed Davey,^[34] Tim Farron,^[35] Don Foster,^[29] Julia Goldsworthy,^[34] Mike Hancock,^[31] Nick Harvey,^[31] David Heath,^[36] John Hemming,^[37] Simon Hughes,^[38] Mark Hunter,^[29] Paul Keetch,^[31] Norman Lamb,^[29] David Laws,^[39] Michael Moore,^[40] Greg Mulholland,^[29] Mark Oaten,^[41] Lembit Öpik,^[42] John Pugh,^[31] Alan Reid,^[43] Willie Rennie,^[31] Dan Rogerson,^[32] Paul Rowen,^[29] Sir Robert Smith,^[29] Jo Swinson,^[32] Sarah Teather,^[34] John Thurso,^[43] Steve Webb,^[44] Stephen Williams,^[29] Phil Willis,^[29] Richard Younger-Ross^[31]
• Lords: Lord Addington,^[45] former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon,^[34] Baroness Barker,^[45] Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury,^[45] Lord Bradshaw,^[46] Lord Clement-Jones,^[47] Baroness Falkner of Margravine,^[45] Lord Fearn,^[46] Earl of Glasgow DL,^[46] Lord Holme of Cheltenham,^[48] Lord Jones of Cheltenham,^[46] Lord Lester of Herne Hill,^[45] Baroness Linklater of Butterstone,^[48] Baroness Ludford (also an MEP),^[46] Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (also an MEP),^[46] Lord Phillips,^[46] Lord Razzall,^[45] Lord Roberts of Llandudno,^[45] Lord Russell-Johnston,^[46] Baroness Scott of Needham Market,^[45] Lord Smith of Clifton,^[46] Lord Thomas of Gresford,^[45] Baroness Tonge,^[33] Lord Tyler,^[45] Lord Wallace of Tankerness,^[46] Baroness Walmsley,^[48] Baroness Williams of Crosby^[49]
• MEPs: Chris Davies,^[33] Sarah Ludford (see above),^[46] Bill Newton Dunn,^[47] Emma Nicholson (see above),^[45] Diana Wallis,^[33] Graham Watson^[33]
• MSPs: Liam McArthur,^[50] Tavish Scott,^[50] Jim Tolson^[50]
• AMs: Peter Black,^[45] Michael German,^[51] Kirsty Williams^[45]
• Other notable supporters: former MP Richard Allan,^[52] former MP Sir Cyril Smith,^[53] François Bayrou (President of the French political party Mouvement Démocrate)^[54]
• Newspapers/Magazines: The Independent,^[55] The Guardian^[56]

Chris Huhne

Supporters included:

• MPs: Lynne Featherstone^[12] (campaign chairwoman^[57]) — Tom Brake,^[57] Annette Brooke,^[31] Sandra Gidley,^[58] Evan Harris,^[59] Paul Holmes,^[29] Martin Horwood,^[57] David Howarth,^[58] Susan Kramer,^[60] John Leech,^[61] Matthew Taylor,^[62] Mark Williams,^[29] Roger Williams^[31]
• Lords: Lord Dholakia,^[59] Lord Ezra,^[63] Viscount Falkland,^[63] Lord Greaves,^[64] Baroness Harris of Richmond,^[64] Lord Livsey of Talgarth,^[64] former Social Democratic Party leader Lord Maclennan of Rogart,^[63] Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer,^[63] Lord Newby,^[65] Baroness Northover,^[63] Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay,^[66] Lord Redesdale,^[63] Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank,^[63] Lord Sharman,^[63] former Liberal Party leader Lord Steel of Aikwood,^[67] Baroness Thomas of Walliswood,^[63] Lord Thomson of Monifieth^[63]
• MEPs: Elspeth Attwooll,^[68] Sharon Bowles,^[64] Andrew Duff,^[69] Liz Lynne^[64]
• MSPs: Robert Brown,^[68] Ross Finnie,^[68] Jim Hume,^[68] John Farquhar Munro,^[64] Alison McInnes,^[64] Hugh O'Donnell,^[64] Mike Pringle,^[68] Jeremy Purvis,^[63] Mike Rumbles,^[50] Margaret Smith,^[70] Jamie Stone^[68]
• AMs: Mick Bates,^[71] Eleanor Burnham,^[63] Jenny Randerson^[64]
• Other notable supporters: parliamentary candidate Sal Brinton,^[72] Anna Werrin (campaign manager; former Head of the Leader's Office to Charles Kennedy),^[65] Candy Piercy (on the party's Federal Executive, President of the Liberal Democrats Agents Association),^[73] Duncan Brack (Chair of the Federal Conference Committee),^[74] Polly Toynbee (newspaper columnist)^[75]
• Newspapers/Magazines: New Statesman^[76]

Result

Candidate		Votes	%
	Nick Clegg	20,988	50.6
	Chris Huhne	20,477	49.4
Turnout		41,465	64.1
Sources: result;[2] turnout[77]

The turnout at this leadership election was over 10,000 fewer than in the 2006 election. A total of 64,727 ballot papers were issued, compared with 72,064 for the 2006 contest.

References

1. "Campbell quits as Lib Dem leader". BBC News Online. BBC. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
2. "Nick Clegg is new Lib Dem leader". BBC News Online. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2007.
3. "Lib Dem leader resigns". The Herald. The Herald. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
4. Liberal Democrats (23 November 2007). "Liberal Democrats : Leadership election". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
5. Ryan, Rosalind (16 October 2007). "Liberal Democrat election timetable". Guardian Unlimited. London: The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
6. Byers, David (16 October 2007). "Timeline: Liberal Democrat leadership race". Times Online. London: The Times. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
7. Prince, Rosa (15 December 2007). "Chris Huhne prepares for a surprise win". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
8. "BBC: Contenders: Lib Dem leadership". BBC News. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
9. Helm, Toby; Carlin, Brendan (15 October 2007). "Huhne and Clegg:Deadly political rivals". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
10. "BBC: Huhne 'to bid for Lib Dem leader'". BBC News. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
11. "BBC: Kennedy 'unlikely to run again'". BBC News. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
12. "My choice for Lib Dem leader".
13. "Sir Ming quit after 'Seven days of reports on my age'".
14. "Laws: I'm not standing for the leadership".
15. "Sarah Backs Nick Clegg".
16. "Epolotix: Webb ruled out of Lib Dem race".
17. Huhne to unveil manifesto as nominations close for Lib Dem leadership, Guardian Online, 31 October 2007
18. Nick Clegg blasts 'unholy alliance' Chris Huhne, Daily Telegraph, 1 November 2007
19. Lib-Dems turned upside-down as leadership front-runner suggests pact with Tories, Daily Mail, 28 October 2007
20. Nick Clegg answers your questions, Daily Telegraph, 1 November 2007
21. Huhne woos the left as Lib Dem leadership nominations close, Guardian Online, 1 November 2007
22. Key points of Clegg and Huhne's leadership manifestos, Guardian Online, 31 October 2007
23. Lib Dem leadership: voting begins BBC News - The Politics Show, 23 November 2007
24. Revill, Jo (18 November 2007). "Huhne 'closing' in Lib Dem race". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
25. Finkelstein, Daniel (21 November 2007). "Stop hiding behind the sofa". The Times. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
26. "UK | UK Politics | Clegg claims lead in Lib Dem race". BBC News. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
27. MP Huhne stands by Lib Dem leadership election results The Southern Daily Echo 7 April 2008
28. Jane Merrick Meet the real leader of the Liberal Democrats Independent on Sunday 6 April 2008
29. "'Be bolder' urges Clegg as he launches leadership campaign". The Independent. London. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
30. "Baker and Lloyd back Nick Clegg".
31. Summers, Deborah (26 October 2007). "Clegg is firm favourite among Lib Dem MPs". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
32. "Clegg's Positive Campaign has momentum at start of ballot week".
33. "Supporter List".
34. "BBC: Clegg picking up Lib Dem backers". BBC News. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
35. "Farron backs Clegg for Lib Dem leadership bid". North-West Evening Mail. 20 October 2007. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
36. "David Heath MP Endorses Nick Clegg".
37. "Hemming endorses Clegg".
38. Mulholland, Hélène (2 November 2007). "Hughes backs Clegg for Lib Dem leader". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
39. "Laws supports Clegg in leadership contest". Archived from the original on 25 October 2007.
40. "Moore backs Clegg after Ming".
41. "Hampshire MP will not be drawn on leadership fight".
42. "Opik sides with Clegg on Lib-Dem vote".
43. "Clegg has clean sweep of Scottish MPs".
44. "BBC: Webb will not run for Lib Dem job". BBC News. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
45. "Supporting Nick". Archived from the original on 27 October 2007.
46. "Liberal Democrat Peers Backing Nick". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
47. "Nick gets the backing of Bill Newton-Dunn and Lord Clement-Jones". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
48. "Key Peers Endorse Nick Clegg". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
49. "Baroness Shirley Williams Endorses Nick Clegg for Liberal Democrat Leader". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
50. "Huhne has the backing of majority of LibDem MSPs to become party leader".
51. "Michael German AM Endorses Clegg Campaign". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
52. "A Bit of a Week".
53. "Sir Cyril Smith MBE Endorses Nick Clegg". Archived from the original on 8 November 2007.
54. "Francois Bayrou Backs Nick Clegg For Lib Dem Leader". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
55. "The Independent: "Clegg should be given the chance to turn the current daunting challenges facing the Liberal Democrats into a fresh opportunity." (leading article, 23 Nov 2007)". London. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
56. The Guardian: "If this newspaper was to cast a vote, it would be for him [Clegg]." (leading article, 17 Nov 2007)
57. Peev, Gerri (18 October 2007). "Huhne in second run at leadership". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.
58. Coates, Sam (18 October 2007). "First Lib Dem candidate happy to be an underdog". The Times. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
59. "Huhne Leadership Election Campaign Gains Momentum".
60. "Clegg urges Lib Dems to be bolder". London: Guardian Unlimited. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
61. "John Leech MP Backs Chris Huhne".
62. "Matthew Taylor Gives His Backing to Chris".
63. "Chris Huhne Nominated First For Party Leader".
64. "Supporters Backing Chris Huhne for Leader". Archived from the original on 31 October 2007.
65. "Dick Newby and Anna Werrin to have key roles in Huhne campaign". Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.
66. "A straight choice between Clegg & Huhne?".
67. "Clegg MPs' favourite for Lib Dem leadership". icWales. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
68. "Huhne has backing of majority of LibDem MSPs".
69. "Andrew Duff Gives His Backing to Huhne".
70. "Smith endorses Huhne".
71. "Bates to Back Huhne in Leadership Contest".
72. "Sal Brinton: Why I'm backing Chris".
73. "Kennedy Campaign Manager Candy says "I'm backing Chris!"". Chris Huhne campaign website. 20 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2007.
74. "Get off the fence with Chris Huhne".
75. Toynbee, Polly (16 November 2007). "The Lib Dems face a clear choice: get radical or fudge into eternal decline". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
76. "Wanted: an anti-Establishment insurgent for the third party".
77. Wintour, Patrick (18 December 2007). "Clegg plans quick reshuffle if he wins Lib Dem leadership". London: Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2007.

External links

• Official Chris Huhne Leadership Campaign Site
• Official Nick Clegg Leadership Campaign Site
• Full text of the announcement of Menzies Campbell's resignation
• Full text: Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation letter
• Betting odds comparison site