Jo Swinson confirms Liberal Democrat leadership bid

[Clovis]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48468251

Jo Swinson has announced she will run to become the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The party's deputy leader told BBC Question Time the country was "crying out" for a movement "to challenge the forces of nationalism and populism".

She faces competition from former energy secretary Sir Ed Davey, who has declared his intention to stand.

Current leader Sir Vince Cable will step down on 23 July and nominations to replace him close on 7 June.

The pro-EU Lib Dems came second in the UK's European elections last week, taking 20.3% of the vote.

A lot of people probably won't care about this, but I thought she was excellent on Question Time last night and I'm thus a fan.

[RevolverOcelot]

She seems pretty good, but I don't get why Vince Cable is resigning in the first place. He seemed like a pretty capable leader to me.

[Clovis]

I mean, he's rather old and also had his image permanently stained by the tuition fees stuff like a lot of other Lib Dems.

[RevolverOcelot]

Okay, yeah. That is a very good point. The Clegg baggage could definitely be a factor. Nevertheless, whoever replaces him as leader can't possibly be as bad as Tim Farron.

[smurfy]

I'm sure it's just a post-Euro election boom but the Lib Dems are currently #1 in the opinion polls according to YouGov

I do find it funny that Lib Dem leadership candidates need the support of 10% of the parliamentary party - which means one MP

[Crumpets]

He's a gross orange book liberal and personally I think it was a shame he was leader in the first place.

He and his ideas are responsible for many of the bad things the lib dems did in coalition government. Cable and the substantial amount of other orange-bookers are also why the myth of the lib dems being some centre left holdout is pretty ridiculous. It's stale thatcherism with a friendly, pro gay marriage face. He's like a shit Macron.

[edits]

With compotent leadership and less fucking around I can go back to voting Lib Dem in the GE. Had to vote Labour last time to stick it to the Tories but I am definately much more a supporter of Lib Dem policies.