Cable’s future as leader in doubt
POLITICS: Sir Vince Cable’s future as Liberal Democrat leader was yesterday called into question after it emerged that he plans to change the way that the party will elect his successor.
The York-born former Cabinet Minister is expected on September 7 to announce plans designed to open up the party.
SIR VINCE Cable’s future as Liberal Democrat leader was yesterday called into question after it emerged that he plans to change the way the party will elect his successor.
The York-born former Cabinet Minister is expected on September 7 to announce plans designed to open up the party, including potentially allowing the Lib Dems to be led by someone who is not an MP.
The Lib Dems have been taking soundings from advisers to Canada’s Liberal Party, which went from a worst-ever third place in 2011 elections to winning power in 2015 under now-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Among the proposals being discussed is allowing the party to be led by someone who is not among the party’s MPs, of which there are currently only 12.
A Lib Dem source said Sir Vince was likely to set out the “pros and cons” of such a model, which members will then debate for months before agreeing on a position.
The source said the party “accepts” that the proposal “will lead to talk around the leadership”.
Sir Vince, who is 75, is refusing to commit to leading the Lib Dems into the next scheduled election in 2022.
But if there were a snap election within the next two years, Sir Vince would almost certainly lead the Lib Dems into it, barring any major events, the source said.
Also under consideration is the creation of a Labour-style registered supporters scheme, which would make it easier for voters to sign up and have their say in leadership elections.
But they would have to be registered for at least a year before taking part in any leadership election in a bid to ensure any vote is not hijacked by a particular group.
Labour has seen its membership and engagement with the party soar after introducing rule changes for leadership elections, including the creation of a registered supporters scheme, since Jeremy Corbyn took the top job in 2015.
Sir Vince has faced criticism in recent months for failing to make inroads in opinion polling despite Labour and the Tories becoming embroiled in a series of political crises.
The ex-Business Secretary’s failure to attend a key Brexit vote in the House of Commons in July led to growing speculation that he could be ousted as leader, as the party has made Brexit its number one issue, and has led calls for a second EU referendum.
Sir Vince has admitted he made a “mistake” in missing the vote but denied reports he was attending a dinner to discuss the creation of a new centrist party at the time.
The leader’s predecessor Tim Farron also missed the vote and Lib Dem Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael admitted he “messed up” by allowing them both to skip a division he expected to be “lost by hundreds”.
Some parties have had leaders who are not among their MPs in Westminster.
They include current SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is First Minister in Scotland, and former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, who stood unsuccessfully at the 2015 election.