Sir Vince Cable to run for Lib Dem

Tuesday 20th June 2017 12:35 EDT
 

Sir Vince Cable, 74, has confirmed his bid to be the next Liberal Democrat leader, insisting he has the “energy, enthusiasm and experience... there is a big space in British politics which I am determined that we should occupy.”

The former Business Secretary said he was the big figure required the party needed to lead through “what will be a period of chronic uncertainty” as the Brexit talks get under way. He has been a senior figure in the party for more than 20 years and won his Twickenham seat back at the election.

Other possible candidates include ex-ministers Norman Lamb and Sir Ed Davey.

Jo Swinson has ruled herself out, although she might contest the position of deputy leader which is being revived following the general election. No date has yet been set by the party for the close of nominations for leader.

Sir Vince promised to follow the footsteps of outgoing leader Tim Farron’s legacy of “good policies” to bolster public services. He said “The NHS, especially mental health, and social care and schools are now under severe financial pressure.”
Farron had sparked surprise last week when he announced that he was standing down, arguing it was impossible to be leader and to “live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible's teaching” after members of his party had privately criticised the way he had answered questions on whether being a gay is a sin, and his views on abortion.

While Ireland embraces the first gay, immigrant Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, confident that his sexuality will not interfere with his ideologies, it is interesting to see how the issue will be tackled in UK's politics. 


comments powered by Disqus



to the free, weekly Asian Voice email newsletter