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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Rumbles in bid to lead Lib Dems | Rumbles in bid to lead Lib Dems |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| The colourful Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles is to stand for the Scottish party's leadership. | |
| His move came after Nicol Stephen quit the job, saying it was putting too much stress on his family life. | His move came after Nicol Stephen quit the job, saying it was putting too much stress on his family life. |
| Mr Rumbles, MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, failed in a bid to become leader three years ago, when Mr Stephen stood as a candidate. | Mr Rumbles, MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, failed in a bid to become leader three years ago, when Mr Stephen stood as a candidate. |
| Scots Lib Dem deputy leader, MP Michael Moore, has taken charge while a leadership contest is staged. | Scots Lib Dem deputy leader, MP Michael Moore, has taken charge while a leadership contest is staged. |
| Party bosses will meet shortly to confirm a timetable to choose his successor, who is likely to be in place in September. | Party bosses will meet shortly to confirm a timetable to choose his successor, who is likely to be in place in September. |
| Other possible contenders for the job may include Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, the former transport minister. | Other possible contenders for the job may include Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, the former transport minister. |
| Party ballot | Party ballot |
| Mr Stephen's immediate resignation came less than a week after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit, amid an ongoing row over donations to her leadership campaign. | Mr Stephen's immediate resignation came less than a week after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit, amid an ongoing row over donations to her leadership campaign. |
| Mr Stephen said he would stay on as MSP for Aberdeen South, but added that his wife and four children, aged between four and 12, now had to take priority. | Mr Stephen said he would stay on as MSP for Aberdeen South, but added that his wife and four children, aged between four and 12, now had to take priority. |
| The Scottish Liberal Democrats were ousted from power by the SNP last May, after serving in coalition rule with Labour for eight years. | The Scottish Liberal Democrats were ousted from power by the SNP last May, after serving in coalition rule with Labour for eight years. |
| "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life," Mr Stephen said in a statement. | "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life," Mr Stephen said in a statement. |
| "But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done." | "But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done." |
| Under party rules, the post of Scottish Lib Dem leader must be filled by an MSP nominated by at least one other. | Under party rules, the post of Scottish Lib Dem leader must be filled by an MSP nominated by at least one other. |
| If there is more than one nominee, the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members. | If there is more than one nominee, the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members. |