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| Contenders: Lib Dem leadership | Contenders: Lib Dem leadership |
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| Fridge magnets featuring Lib Dem MPs proved popular at their conferenceHere are the likely runners and riders to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as Liberal Democrat leader: | Fridge magnets featuring Lib Dem MPs proved popular at their conferenceHere are the likely runners and riders to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as Liberal Democrat leader: |
| NICK CLEGG | NICK CLEGG |
| AGE: 40JOB: Home Affairs spokesmanFAMILY: Married, two childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, lecturer and Euro MP Profile: Nick Clegg | AGE: 40JOB: Home Affairs spokesmanFAMILY: Married, two childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, lecturer and Euro MP Profile: Nick Clegg |
| The party's home affairs spokesman was elected to Parliament in 2005, at the age of 38, and is one of the two front-runners for the leadership. | The party's home affairs spokesman was elected to Parliament in 2005, at the age of 38, and is one of the two front-runners for the leadership. |
| An effective television performer on the economically liberal right of the party, Mr Clegg, now 40, has carved out a home affairs policy distinct from the "tough liberalism" of his predecessor in the role, Mark Oaten. | An effective television performer on the economically liberal right of the party, Mr Clegg, now 40, has carved out a home affairs policy distinct from the "tough liberalism" of his predecessor in the role, Mark Oaten. |
| An expert skier, who speaks five European languages, he cut his political teeth as an adviser to European Commissioner Leon Brittan before spending five years as a Lib Dem MEP, during which he pushed for reform of procedures in the European Parliament. | An expert skier, who speaks five European languages, he cut his political teeth as an adviser to European Commissioner Leon Brittan before spending five years as a Lib Dem MEP, during which he pushed for reform of procedures in the European Parliament. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| During the party conference in September he said he would probably stand for the leadership "if there was a vacancy". | During the party conference in September he said he would probably stand for the leadership "if there was a vacancy". |
| On Tuesday he said: "Events have been very, very sudden. They've taken me by surprise... Miriam (his wife) and I, we need to talk to each other." | On Tuesday he said: "Events have been very, very sudden. They've taken me by surprise... Miriam (his wife) and I, we need to talk to each other." |
| It is expected that he will launch his leadership campaign on Friday. | It is expected that he will launch his leadership campaign on Friday. |
| Ladbrokes odds: 4/7 | Ladbrokes odds: 4/7 |
| CHRIS HUHNE | CHRIS HUHNE |
| AGE: 53JOB: Environment spokesmanFAMILY: Married, five childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, businessman and Euro MP Profile: Chris Huhne Campaign launch | AGE: 53JOB: Environment spokesmanFAMILY: Married, five childrenEDUCATION: Westminster School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Journalist, businessman and Euro MP Profile: Chris Huhne Campaign launch |
| One of a batch of ambitious MPs elected in 2005, his profile soared when he challenged for the party leadership, coming second to Sir Menzies, in 2006. | One of a batch of ambitious MPs elected in 2005, his profile soared when he challenged for the party leadership, coming second to Sir Menzies, in 2006. |
| A former economics journalist and businessman, the 53-year-old was the Lib Dems' deputy economics spokesman before his move to the environment brief. | A former economics journalist and businessman, the 53-year-old was the Lib Dems' deputy economics spokesman before his move to the environment brief. |
| Mr Huhne was an MEP from 1999 to 2005, before becoming MP for Eastleigh. Educated at Westminster School, the Sorbonne and Magdalen College, Oxford, he has written four books. | Mr Huhne was an MEP from 1999 to 2005, before becoming MP for Eastleigh. Educated at Westminster School, the Sorbonne and Magdalen College, Oxford, he has written four books. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| Mr Huhne has announced he is running, promising a "fairer and greener" agenda for the UK. | Mr Huhne has announced he is running, promising a "fairer and greener" agenda for the UK. |
| Ladbrokes odds: 9/4 | Ladbrokes odds: 9/4 |
| CHARLES KENNEDY | CHARLES KENNEDY |
| AGE: 47JOB: Backbencher, former party leaderFAMILY: Married, one childEDUCATION: Lochaber High School, Fort William, Glasgow University BEFORE MP: Journalist and broadcaster - an MP since he was 23 Profile: Charles Kennedy | AGE: 47JOB: Backbencher, former party leaderFAMILY: Married, one childEDUCATION: Lochaber High School, Fort William, Glasgow University BEFORE MP: Journalist and broadcaster - an MP since he was 23 Profile: Charles Kennedy |
| The party's most electorally successful leader for 80 years, he was forced out after a rebellion by members of his front bench team. | The party's most electorally successful leader for 80 years, he was forced out after a rebellion by members of his front bench team. |
| He took over the top job in 1999, after the party had achieved a breakthrough at the 1997 general election with 46 MPs elected. | He took over the top job in 1999, after the party had achieved a breakthrough at the 1997 general election with 46 MPs elected. |
| He built on that success, making impressive gains in local government and gaining the party a real taste of power in Scotland. In 2005 the party saw 62 MPs elected - its highest tally since the 1920s. | He built on that success, making impressive gains in local government and gaining the party a real taste of power in Scotland. In 2005 the party saw 62 MPs elected - its highest tally since the 1920s. |
| Now 47, he stepped down in early 2006 after a rebellion by members of his front bench team and admitting to a drink problem, but is still held in high regard by many Liberal Democrats across the country. | Now 47, he stepped down in early 2006 after a rebellion by members of his front bench team and admitting to a drink problem, but is still held in high regard by many Liberal Democrats across the country. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| Mr Kennedy told the BBC on Wednesday that he was "highly unlikely" to stand, but did not flatly rule out a bid. | Mr Kennedy told the BBC on Wednesday that he was "highly unlikely" to stand, but did not flatly rule out a bid. |
| Ladbrokes odds: 16/1 | Ladbrokes odds: 16/1 |
| JOHN HEMMING | |
| AGE: 47JOB: BackbencherFAMILY: Married, four childrenEDUCATION: King Edward's School, Birmingham, and Oxford University BEFORE MP: Scientist and businessman | |
| An MP since 2005, Mr Hemming was a Birmingham councillor and a successful businessman before entering Parliament. | |
| He contested the Birmingham Yardley seat in 1992, 1997 and 2001 before finally winning it by 2,672 votes. | |
| During his business career, Mr Hemming helped develop security codes for internet banking. | |
| He has a colourful past, having been the drummer for a heavy metal rock group and attempted to become Britain's first man in space. | |
| But Mr Hemming - who is also chairman of Justice for Families, which campaigns for parents' rights regarding social services and law - is the least well known of the leadership hopefuls. | |
| What he says about running: | |
| Mr Hemming says on his blog that he has "one person other than myself willing to sign my own paper. However, I can see that there is going to be a challenge getting nominated." | |
| RULED OUT: STEVE WEBB | RULED OUT: STEVE WEBB |
| AGE: 42JOB: Head of election manifesto teamFAMILY: Married, two childrenEDUCATION: Dartmouth High School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Economist and professor of social policy at Bath University Profile: Steve Webb | AGE: 42JOB: Head of election manifesto teamFAMILY: Married, two childrenEDUCATION: Dartmouth High School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Economist and professor of social policy at Bath University Profile: Steve Webb |
| The 42-year-old Northavon MP is currently charged with drawing up the Liberal Democrat manifesto and is seen as a popular figure, particularly on the left of the party. | The 42-year-old Northavon MP is currently charged with drawing up the Liberal Democrat manifesto and is seen as a popular figure, particularly on the left of the party. |
| A big fan of social networking sites as a way of engaging with younger voters, he has 1,000 "friends" on his own Facebook page. | A big fan of social networking sites as a way of engaging with younger voters, he has 1,000 "friends" on his own Facebook page. |
| A former economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, he was appointed professor of social policy at Bath University shortly before his election victory in 1997 and has published several books and pamphlets on social security. | A former economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, he was appointed professor of social policy at Bath University shortly before his election victory in 1997 and has published several books and pamphlets on social security. |
| He is a committed Christian, has an interest in poverty alleviation and is one of the leading voices of the campaign for third world debt relief. | He is a committed Christian, has an interest in poverty alleviation and is one of the leading voices of the campaign for third world debt relief. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| He said he had enough nominations from MPs to mount a leadership bid but decided to pull out and throw his weight behind Nick Clegg. | He said he had enough nominations from MPs to mount a leadership bid but decided to pull out and throw his weight behind Nick Clegg. |
| RULED OUT: SIMON HUGHES | RULED OUT: SIMON HUGHES |
| AGE: 56JOB: Lib Dem presidentFAMILY: SingleEDUCATION: Christ College, Brecon, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Barrister | AGE: 56JOB: Lib Dem presidentFAMILY: SingleEDUCATION: Christ College, Brecon, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Barrister |
| A popular figure with the Lib Dem grassroots, the party president has twice stood for the party leadership, losing out to Sir Menzies and Charles Kennedy but asked whether he would stand this time, he told the BBC: "That's a categorical 'no'". | A popular figure with the Lib Dem grassroots, the party president has twice stood for the party leadership, losing out to Sir Menzies and Charles Kennedy but asked whether he would stand this time, he told the BBC: "That's a categorical 'no'". |
| The North Southwark and Bermondsey MP, 56, also stood unsuccessfully against Ken Livingstone for London mayor in May 2004, coming third. | The North Southwark and Bermondsey MP, 56, also stood unsuccessfully against Ken Livingstone for London mayor in May 2004, coming third. |
| A barrister by profession, he is known for his views on civil liberties and has served as the party's justice spokesman. | A barrister by profession, he is known for his views on civil liberties and has served as the party's justice spokesman. |
| He is also an anti-nuclear campaigner, although his public backing for Sir Menzies Campbell's "wait and see" policy on replacing Trident helped the party leader win a crucial conference vote in 2007. He recently warned Sir Menzies to "do better, get better at getting the message across better, at getting the policy out better." | He is also an anti-nuclear campaigner, although his public backing for Sir Menzies Campbell's "wait and see" policy on replacing Trident helped the party leader win a crucial conference vote in 2007. He recently warned Sir Menzies to "do better, get better at getting the message across better, at getting the policy out better." |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| Simon Hughes - who strongly rejected wielding the knife against Sir Menzies - has categorically ruled out standing this time round. | Simon Hughes - who strongly rejected wielding the knife against Sir Menzies - has categorically ruled out standing this time round. |
| RULED OUT: DAVID LAWS | RULED OUT: DAVID LAWS |
| AGE: 41JOB: Children, schools and families spokesmanFAMILY: SingleEDUCATION: St George's College, Weybridge, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Investment banker Profile: David Laws | AGE: 41JOB: Children, schools and families spokesmanFAMILY: SingleEDUCATION: St George's College, Weybridge, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Investment banker Profile: David Laws |
| After gaining a double first in maths at Cambridge the 41-year-old had a high-flying career in banking before entering Parliament in 2001 as MP for Yeovil - the seat of former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown. | After gaining a double first in maths at Cambridge the 41-year-old had a high-flying career in banking before entering Parliament in 2001 as MP for Yeovil - the seat of former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown. |
| He is seen as being on the economically liberal right of the party and was one of the MPs behind The Orange Book - setting out a more free market approach to Lib Dem policy. | He is seen as being on the economically liberal right of the party and was one of the MPs behind The Orange Book - setting out a more free market approach to Lib Dem policy. |
| But he rebuffed an attempt by the Conservatives to poach him in March 2007, reportedly telling George Osborne he was "not a Tory". | But he rebuffed an attempt by the Conservatives to poach him in March 2007, reportedly telling George Osborne he was "not a Tory". |
| He impressed Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell with his mastery of the unglamorous work and pensions brief and was rewarded in the July 2007 reshuffle with the newly-created post of children, schools and families spokesman. | He impressed Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell with his mastery of the unglamorous work and pensions brief and was rewarded in the July 2007 reshuffle with the newly-created post of children, schools and families spokesman. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| Mr Laws ruled himself out on Tuesday, saying he wanted to concentrate on being a constituency MP and his role as a high-profile party spokesman. | Mr Laws ruled himself out on Tuesday, saying he wanted to concentrate on being a constituency MP and his role as a high-profile party spokesman. |
| RULED OUT: VINCENT CABLE | RULED OUT: VINCENT CABLE |
| AGE:64JOB: Acting leader, Treasury spokesmanFAMILY: Married, three children EDUCATION: Nunthorpe Grammar School, York, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Lecturer and Shell's chief economist | AGE:64JOB: Acting leader, Treasury spokesmanFAMILY: Married, three children EDUCATION: Nunthorpe Grammar School, York, Cambridge UniversityBEFORE MP: Lecturer and Shell's chief economist |
| A Lib Dem heavyweight, the 64-year-old deputy leader and Treasury spokesman has been credited with giving the party's economic policies a new edge. | A Lib Dem heavyweight, the 64-year-old deputy leader and Treasury spokesman has been credited with giving the party's economic policies a new edge. |
| He began his political life with Labour, leaving when the party lurched leftwards in the early 1980s to join the SDP and has pursued a successful career outside politics - he was chief economist for oil giant Shell International. | He began his political life with Labour, leaving when the party lurched leftwards in the early 1980s to join the SDP and has pursued a successful career outside politics - he was chief economist for oil giant Shell International. |
| The Twickenham MP first won his seat in 1997 after running for Parliament at every previous election since 1983. Before covering his current front bench brief he was trade and industry spokesman. | The Twickenham MP first won his seat in 1997 after running for Parliament at every previous election since 1983. Before covering his current front bench brief he was trade and industry spokesman. |
| He was a key supporter of Sir Menzies Campbell's successful party leadership campaign and was rewarded with the position of deputy leader. He takes over the leadership in a caretaker role while a leadership contest takes place. | He was a key supporter of Sir Menzies Campbell's successful party leadership campaign and was rewarded with the position of deputy leader. He takes over the leadership in a caretaker role while a leadership contest takes place. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| On Wednesday he told the BBC he would not stand, saying he thought that an older candidate was "not electable". | On Wednesday he told the BBC he would not stand, saying he thought that an older candidate was "not electable". |
| RULED OUT: EDWARD DAVEY | RULED OUT: EDWARD DAVEY |
| AGE: 41JOB: Chief of staffFAMILY: MarriedEDUCATION: Nottingham High School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Economics advisor to Lib Dems and management consultancy Profile: Edward Davey | AGE: 41JOB: Chief of staffFAMILY: MarriedEDUCATION: Nottingham High School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Economics advisor to Lib Dems and management consultancy Profile: Edward Davey |
| An economics expert, who has been tipped as a future party leader, the 41-year-old is given to making detailed, forensic speeches on tax and finance policies. | An economics expert, who has been tipped as a future party leader, the 41-year-old is given to making detailed, forensic speeches on tax and finance policies. |
| He was formerly the Lib Dem spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has served as a junior Treasury spokesman and was leader of the Lib Dem London Group. | He was formerly the Lib Dem spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has served as a junior Treasury spokesman and was leader of the Lib Dem London Group. |
| His previous job was as party trade and industry spokesman - he is currently chief of staff and campaigns co-ordinator. | His previous job was as party trade and industry spokesman - he is currently chief of staff and campaigns co-ordinator. |
| An MP since 1997, he is also the holder of an award for bravery after saving a woman who had fallen onto the tracks at a London train station. | An MP since 1997, he is also the holder of an award for bravery after saving a woman who had fallen onto the tracks at a London train station. |
| What he says about running: | What he says about running: |
| Mr Davey ruled himself out on Wednesday, saying the "imminent birth of our first child must take priority over politics". | Mr Davey ruled himself out on Wednesday, saying the "imminent birth of our first child must take priority over politics". |
| RULED OUT: SUSAN KRAMER | RULED OUT: SUSAN KRAMER |
| AGE: 57JOB: Transport spokeswomanFAMILY: Widow, two childrenEDUCATION: St Paul's Girls' School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Banker Profile: Susan Kramer | AGE: 57JOB: Transport spokeswomanFAMILY: Widow, two childrenEDUCATION: St Paul's Girls' School, Oxford UniversityBEFORE MP: Banker Profile: Susan Kramer |
| A former City high-flyer, who was vice-president of a leading international bank before starting her own company to work on transport projects in Eastern Europe, the 57-year-old was appointed to the Lib Dem treasury team after entering Parliament as MP for Richmond Park in 2005. | A former City high-flyer, who was vice-president of a leading international bank before starting her own company to work on transport projects in Eastern Europe, the 57-year-old was appointed to the Lib Dem treasury team after entering Parliament as MP for Richmond Park in 2005. |
| A former president of the Oxford Union, she has sometimes been tipped as a future party leader, despite coming fourth in the contest to be London mayor in 2000. She is now Transport spokeswoman. | A former president of the Oxford Union, she has sometimes been tipped as a future party leader, despite coming fourth in the contest to be London mayor in 2000. She is now Transport spokeswoman. |
| She has campaigned against the privatisation of the underground and was a member of the board of Transport for London. | She has campaigned against the privatisation of the underground and was a member of the board of Transport for London. |
| She also contributed a chapter to the Orange Book, which set out a free market policy agenda for the party. | She also contributed a chapter to the Orange Book, which set out a free market policy agenda for the party. |
| What she says about running: | What she says about running: |
| Ms Kramer ruled herself out on Wednesday. | Ms Kramer ruled herself out on Wednesday. |