Cable throws open leadership vote to promote momentum

SIR VINCE CABLE will today announce plans to allow people to vote in Lib Dem leadership elections for free as he launches the party’s version of Momentum, the pro-jeremy Corbyn campaign group.

Sir Vince will set out details of a registered supporters scheme that will be free to join and allow non-party members to vote for who they want in the top job.

The 75-year-old is also expected to use today’s speech to confirm that he wants to open up the leadership to non-mps.

The Daily Telegraph understands the speech will include a “personal passage” in which Sir Vince will discuss his future. Many in the party believe

‘The membership reform plans are part of a package of measures designed to boost support for the party’

the former business secretary will remain in his post until after Brexit just in case a snap general election is called, then make way for a successor.

The membership reform plans are part of a package designed to boost support for the party which continues to struggle in opinion polls – lagging far behind the Conservatives and Labour despite having a reported membership of just under 100,000.

Sir Vince will hope his “Movement for Moderates” will help to energise his party in the same way Momentum has with Labour.

He is expected to say: “The Liberal Democrats already have an army of voluntary helpers and deliverers, as well as 200,000 online supporters, who loosely identify with us and campaign with us, but currently have no say in the direction of the party.

“Whatever rights our new supporters gain, we as a party aim to be in constant conversation with them, engaging them in campaigns and urging them to begin campaigns of their own.”