Swinson challenger declines to stand

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson has been given a clear path to the leadership of her party after one of the leading challengers said she would not be standing.

Lay la Moran was seen as the most likely to fight Ms Swinson to contest the race to succeed Sir Vince Cable. But in a statement, Ms Moran said she would focus on representing her constituents in Oxford West and Abingdon, where she was elected in 2017.

“I am very grateful to the large number of constituents, supporters, party members and elected representatives who have encouraged me to throw my hat into the ring,” she said.

“As a relatively new MP, however, my first priority has to be to serve my constituents to the best of my ability.

“I hope they consider that I am doing a good job so far, but I do not believe that I would be able to continue to do so to the standard they have the right to expect if I took on the busy role of party leader as well.”

A senior Lib Dem source said that with party members hoping for a proper leadership contest, figures like former energy sec retary Ed Davey shouldn’t be discounted, but said Ms Swinson – who has yet to confirm she will seek the leadership–now has a clear run for the job.