Clegg ‘probably’ would fill leadership vacancy
Nick Clegg has said he would “probably” stand for leadership of the Liberal Democrats but has ruled out challenging Sir Menzies Campbell for the role.
Asked at a conference fringe meeting if he had any ambitions on the leadership, Mr Clegg said he would “probably” stand “if there was a vacancy”.
But he stressed: “If you are asking me would I stand against Ming, the answer is no.”
The Lib Dem home affairs spokesman also denied rumours he and Sir Menzies had entered into their own-Granta style deal for a smooth transition of the Lib Dem leadership.
The Daily Mail had claimed Mr Clegg had agreed not to stand against Sir Menzies in the 2006 leadership race in exchange for Sir Menzies’ support for his own eventual leadership.
Mr Clegg and the environment spokesman Chris Huhne are both frequently tipped to succeed Sir Menzies but both play down pressure for a leadership campaign before the next election.
Despite an outward show of unity in the Liberal Democrats, the media have been scouring Brighton’s bars and backrooms for signs that support in Sir Menzies’ leadership is flagging.
At a meeting chaired by the Observer’s Andrew Rawnsley, Mr Clegg told delegates and reporters it was time the party threw its full support behind its leader and “put two fingers up” to his critics.
He said: “At a time when Sir Ming is being attacked with barely disguised ageism.the only response is to pull together, put up two fingers and say, don’t dare push us around.”
Mr Clegg’s comments echoed a fringe event on Monday, where he warned the Liberal Democrats their biggest threat came from the “enemy within”.
Party members must be wary not of Gordon Brown or David Cameron but pessimism over their own standing in the polls, he said.
Mr Clegg told delegates the party must not lose its nerve when the drift of policy is moving towards the Lib Dem’s natural direction. Members must resist the urge to turn inwards and discuss personality when the going gets tough.
The most feverish speculation over Sir Menzies’ leadership has died down as the conference has moved into full swing and the focus shifted to policy.
