Layla Moran announces Lib Dem leadership bid vowing to ‘move party on from the last decade’
2 min read
Layla Moran has announced she is running to be the new leader of the Liberal Democrats with a vow to “move the party on from the last decade”.
The Oxford West and Abingdon MP said she made the decision to stand after making visits around the country listening to members and voters.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, she said she will put forward a vision “to change the future of the country” when the contest opens later this year.
Acting leader Ed Davey took over after the Lib Dems’ disastrous showing at last December’s election, which forced Jo Swinson to quit the role.
Ms Moran, a former maths and physics teacher who recently came out as pansexual, said she has a plan to win seats at all levels with a focus on investing in education and tackling the climate crisis.
She said: “The message I’m hearing on the doorsteps is that the Liberal Democrats need to move on from the last decade, and put forward a positive vision for the future.
“This is what I intend to do as the leader of the party, and I’ll continue to listen to the ideas and opinions of both members and voters over the coming months.
“I’m finding that we have strong support and credibility at a local level, but we need to set out a clear and positive vision in order to win back support nationally.”
Ms Moran had been expected to challenge Ms Swinson and Mr Davey in the last leadership contest, but withdrew after she admitted slapping her then-boyfriend at a party conference in 2013.
The row in Glasgow, which led to them both being arrested, began over a lost computer cable.
She initially faced charges but they were subsequently dropped.
Nominations will officially open in the new leadership race in May with voting closing on 15 July, with MPs Wera Hobhouse and Christine Jardine already declaring their intention to stand.
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