Today Vince Cable announces he will step down as Leader of the
Liberal Democrats after the local elections in May. In a letter to
members Vince Cable said: This has been a dramatic week in
Parliament with Theresa May’s Brexit proposals heavily defeated,
and a very clear statement that a ‘no deal’ Brexit must be avoided.
It is now clear that Brexit will be postponed, and very possibly
stopped. The future is very uncertain but despite Labour’s
continued prevarication, there is...Request free trial
Today announces he will step down as
Leader of the Liberal Democrats after the local elections in
May.
In a letter to members said:
This has been a dramatic week in Parliament with ’s Brexit proposals heavily
defeated, and a very clear statement that a ‘no deal’ Brexit must
be avoided. It is now clear that Brexit will be postponed, and very
possibly stopped.
The future is very uncertain but despite Labour’s continued
prevarication, there is still a real chance of securing a People’s
Vote and, indeed, of stopping Brexit.
The fact that these possibilities are still alive is a great
tribute to our Party. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we never saw it
as our duty to ‘deliver Brexit’.
The tribute is primarily to you as members, for marching and
campaigning so energetically. Thank you for securing the progress
we have made.
I indicated last year that once the Brexit story had moved
on, and we had fought this year’s crucial local elections in 9,000
seats across England, it would be time for me to make way for a new
generation. I set considerable store by having an orderly,
business-like, succession unlike the power struggles in the other
parties.
So I wanted you, our members, to know that, assuming
Parliament does not collapse into an early General Election, I will
ask the party to begin a leadership contest in May.
At our spring conference this weekend, members will have the
chance to make that contest the biggest and most open leadership
election British politics has ever seen. It’s a real opportunity
for our party to seize the radical and liberal centre of British
politics. We can and should invite hundreds of thousands of new
supporters in, with the chance for us to choose a new leader
together.
It has been my great privilege to lead the Liberal Democrats
at this crucial time.
I inherited the leadership after two difficult and
disappointing General Elections. But I take pride in seeing the
party recovering strongly, with last year’s local election results
the best in 15 years, record membership and a central role in the
People’s Vote campaign.
And long after my period as your Leader ceases, I will
continue to work with you and my successor to make sure the Liberal
Democrats are at the centre of Britain’s rapidly changing politics.
By building a movement of voters who share our values, we can help
rescue the country from a profound political crisis and give hope
of a better future.
Thank you for all your support.
Commenting Liberal Democrat Party President said:
"Vince Cable is hugely respected across politics and his
leadership of the Liberal Democrats since 2017 has seen the party
lead the fight against Brexit, with quarter of a million people
backing the campaign.
"It has been a particular pleasure to march alongside him and
our party members a number of times in our fight to get a People’s
Vote. During his time as Leader, he has led the way in increasing
public support for a final say on the Brexit deal and constantly
been reminding people that our country’s future is brighter as part
of the European Union.
"Vince’s experience serving as Business Secretary in
government, his distinguished expertise on the economy, and
continuing dedication as Member of Parliament for Twickenham will
all mean he continues to play a massive part in the party’s future
and our country. I thank him from the bottom of my heart."
