Vince Cable will 'announce plans to quit as Lib Dem leader next month'
2 min read
Vince Cable is reportedly set to announce that he will stand down as Liberal Democrat leader before the next general election.
The veteran MP is expected to unveil plans to change party rules in an attempt to create a mass membership movement that would allow a non-MP to take charge.
The Sunday Times reports that on 7 September Dr Cable will pledge to fight a snap election if it is held next year, but that he will quit the top job before the next scheduled vote in June 2022.
The paper says it has seen messages between two senior party figures which suggested he will have left the role “by spring”.
Under the radical new proposals, the party will bring in a “registered supporters scheme” similar to that which attracted tens of thousands of new supporters in the run-up to Labour’s election of Jeremy Corbyn.
However the paper says the rules are to be rewritten so people have to be Lib Dem members for a year before they can vote so as to stop entryism by supporters of rival parties.
The former business secretary reportedly “sees the advantages” in changing the rules so a non-MP could be leader, such as pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller.
Senior Lib Dem sources told the Sunday Times the move signalled that Dr Cable was ready to set a date on standing aside.
“When we [discuss] leadership elections and reforming the party, there will be this sort of talk,” one said.
Another said: “Vince wants this to be his legacy. He realises we need fresh blood.”
Meanwhile Business Insider reports that just 20 people in the party have been made aware of the plan, with Liberal Democrat MPs ordered to clear their diaries for the September 7 speech.
The Twickenham MP has previously written in praise of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s move to open up his Liberal Party, which saw it go from its worst defeat ever to power in four years.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
