Lib Dem leader race gathers pace

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The Liberal Democrats' 64,000 members have started voting on who will be the party's next leader.

Ballot papers were sent out on Wednesday, offering the choice of Nick Clegg or Chris Huhne, as hustings continue across Britain.

The Clegg campaign said it was gaining momentum, with 39 MPs and 1,500 party members signing up in support.

Mr Huhne's spokeswoman said he was closing in and "winning" in hustings, and that many Lib Dems were undecided.

'Crucial weekend'

Most party members are expected to cast their ballots early in the contest, with another surge predicted shortly before the 15 December deadline.

Clegg campaign director Richard Allan said: "As party members begin to vote the campaign is encouraged and galvanised by the knowledge that we continue to attract such a broad base of support.

There's all to play for Huhne camp

"We take no single vote for granted and Nick will work harder than anyone throughout this crucial weekend and the final weeks of the campaign to win the confidence of the party."

He added: "Morale is high in the team as we continue to fight an outward facing, positive campaign and look to the future in the hope that Nick will lead the party to champion the cause of liberalism to the whole of the country."

Mr Huhne's spokeswoman said 1,200 supporters were signed up, but that there were "at least 2,000" people who had offered to help.

She added: "Our canvass returns [in private polls of party members] show us closing on Nick, but about 40% of people are undecided, so there's all to play for.

"We are delighted to have names supporting us and we think that the judgement of commentators and members is that Chris is winning in hustings and in key media events."

Argument

The race had been largely good-tempered until last weekend, when it was revealed on BBC One's Politics Show that the Huhne camp had released a briefing document entitled "Calamity Clegg".

Mr Huhne apologised for the title, but continued to argue that Mr Clegg had "flip-flopped" on policy.

Mr Clegg accused his rival of trying to create "synthetic differences" between them.

The new leader is to be announced on 17 December.

A party spokesman said: "The voting pattern is expected to be similar to the last leadership contest, where a lot of people cast a ballot within two to three days of receiving it and voting picked up again as the race came to a close."

The contest follows Sir Menzies Campbell's decision to stand down as leader after 19 months in the job.