2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election

(Redirected from Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2007) UK political party leadership election For a chronological guide, see Timeline of events in the 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election.

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17 October – 18 December 2007 (2007-10-17 – 2007-12-18)

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Turnout

64.1%


Candidate	Nick Clegg	Chris Huhne
Popular vote	20,988	20,477
Percentage	50.6%	49.4%

Leader before election

Vince Cable (Interim)

Elected Leader

Nick Clegg

The 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election was held following the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell as leader on 15 October 2007, after 19 months as leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. Vince Cable, the deputy leader of the parliamentary party, was acting leader until the conclusion of the leadership election. The result was announced on 18 December 2007 with Nick Clegg winning by a narrow margin of 1.2%.

Background

The resignation of Menzies Campbell came after a period of speculation about his future as party leader. This was seen as due to media-inspired concerns over his age and poor poll ratings for the party. This speculation mounted after Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced he would not be calling a General Election in 2007. The resignation was announced by the party president Simon Hughes and the deputy leader of the parliamentary party Vince Cable.

Election rules

The timetable for the election was announced on 16 October 2007 with the new leader to be announced on 18 December. Liberal Democrat leadership elections use the Alternative Vote system, the single-winner version of the Single Transferable Vote, although, since only two candidates contested this election the contest effectively became a simple plurality vote.

Nominations for candidates opened on 16 October 2007 and closed at 16:00 (UTC+0) on 31 October: each candidate needed the support of at least 10% of Liberal Democrat MPs (i.e. 7 MPs) and at least 200 party members from at least 20 different local parties. MPs could only nominate one candidate, unlike the previous election.

A series of online and offline hustings meetings were held around the country, and were listed on the party's official news page for the contest.

Balloting of members commenced on 21 November with the distribution of ballots to party members, the deadline for their return being 15 December and the victor to be announced at around 2:30 p.m. on 18 December 2007.

Campaign

Opening

In media reports and the betting markets, the front-runners were friends Nick Clegg (Home Affairs spokesperson) and Chris Huhne (Environment spokesperson). Huhne ran in the 2006 leadership election, coming second to Campbell, whom Clegg had supported.

Following Campbell's surprise resignation, there was speculation as to who would run. Various contenders ruled themselves out early on (including notably Vince Cable, Ed Davey, Lynne Featherstone, Julia Goldsworthy, Simon Hughes, Susan Kramer, David Laws, Sarah Teather and Steve Webb), leading to the possibility of only two candidates achieving sufficient nominations. Huhne launched his campaign first on Wednesday 17 October, with Clegg launching his on Friday 19 October.

John Hemming announced on his blog that he wished to stand, and that he was taking soundings from colleagues, but he went on to acknowledge that it would be too difficult for him to obtain sufficient MP nominators. Former leader Charles Kennedy initially said he was "highly unlikely" to run again, and that it is not part of his "game plan", but did not completely rule out the possibility. He later more clearly rejected the idea.

Huhne and then Clegg submitted their formal nomination paperwork. Clegg attracted most support from fellow MPs, although both candidates had high-profile supporters, including former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown for Clegg and former Liberal leader David Steel for Huhne.

Nominations closed at 16:00 (UTC+0) on 31 October 2007.

Policy differences

Nick Clegg took a more multilateralist line than Chris Huhne, who was opposed to the Trident ballistic missile system. Nick Clegg favoured retaining half of Trident's arsenal to use as a bargaining chip in 2010 negotiations; Chris Huhne saw saving money on the nuclear deterrent as being a viable means of raising money to fund greater spending on army equipment and conventional weaponry with the possibility of a smaller deterrent system.

Chris Huhne emphasised his opposition to voucher systems in the provision of public services. Nick Clegg denied supporting voucher systems, and has gone on record as ruling such systems out.

Nick Clegg stated that he saw the Liberal Democrats' role in a hung parliament scenario as being to support whichever party is most likely to be able to form a government; however, he said that the other two main party leaders and their parties were both conservative and that he was neither an heir to Blair nor a Cameron clone. Clegg also stated that he saw liberalism as being more important than ever, and accused Chris Huhne of entering "an unholy alliance" with the SNP and Conservatives over the environment and his supporting the principle of elements of the Conservative Party's plans to have English only voting for English only matters.

On most issues the two candidates shared common positions on the environment, identity cards, counter-terrorism and the war in Iraq.

Hustings

Both candidates appeared at several hustings organised by the party. There were also joint appearances on the BBC's TV shows Question Time, Newsnight and The Politics Show, the latter of which saw a spat between the candidates after Huhne's campaign team had delivered a press briefing document to the show mistitled "Calamity Clegg", leading to a formal complaint from the Clegg team.

Huhne was generally acknowledged to have "edged" the televised debate - the candidates clashed on issues including Trident and presentation - and a straw poll following the Cambridge hustings placed Huhne as much as 2-1 ahead. However, given the unreliability of such polls, and Clegg's continued position as the bookies' favourite, the consensus in the party and media was that the two were running neck and neck. Some columnists have been critical of Clegg's debate performances.

A YouGov poll of party members gave Clegg a 56% to 44% lead in late November, although about half of respondents had yet to vote. On 3 December 2007, on the basis of another poll, Clegg claimed to be well ahead with 60% of votes cast so far in his favour.

Voting issues

About 1,300 postal votes were caught up in the Christmas post and missed the election deadline. An unofficial check of the late papers showed Huhne had enough votes among them to hand him victory. Huhne stood by the result, saying "Nick Clegg won fair and square on the rules counting the ballot papers that arrived in by the deadline. There is no question of any re-run."

Candidates

At the close of nominations, the following had been successfully nominated.

Nick Clegg

Supporters included:

MPs: Danny Alexander, Norman Baker, John Barrett, Alan Beith, Colin Breed, Jeremy Browne, Malcolm Bruce, Alistair Carmichael, Ed Davey, Tim Farron, Don Foster, Julia Goldsworthy, Mike Hancock, Nick Harvey, David Heath, John Hemming, Simon Hughes, Mark Hunter, Paul Keetch, Norman Lamb, David Laws, Michael Moore, Greg Mulholland, Mark Oaten, Lembit Öpik, John Pugh, Alan Reid, Willie Rennie, Dan Rogerson, Paul Rowen, Sir Robert Smith, Jo Swinson, Sarah Teather, John Thurso, Steve Webb, Stephen Williams, Phil Willis, Richard Younger-Ross
Lords: Lord Addington, former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, Baroness Barker, Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury, Lord Bradshaw, Lord Clement-Jones, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, Lord Fearn, Earl of Glasgow DL, Lord Holme of Cheltenham, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Baroness Linklater of Butterstone, Baroness Ludford (also an MEP), Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (also an MEP), Lord Phillips, Lord Razzall, Lord Roberts of Llandudno, Lord Russell-Johnston, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, Lord Smith of Clifton, Lord Thomas of Gresford, Baroness Tonge, Lord Tyler, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Baroness Walmsley, Baroness Williams of Crosby
MEPs: Chris Davies, Sarah Ludford (see above), Bill Newton Dunn, Emma Nicholson (see above), Diana Wallis, Graham Watson
MSPs: Liam McArthur, Tavish Scott, Jim Tolson
AMs: Peter Black, Michael German, Kirsty Williams
Other notable supporters: former MP Richard Allan, former MP Sir Cyril Smith, François Bayrou (President of the French political party Mouvement Démocrate)
Newspapers/Magazines: The Independent, The Guardian

Chris Huhne

Supporters included:

MPs: Lynne Featherstone (campaign chairwoman) — Tom Brake, Annette Brooke, Sandra Gidley, Evan Harris, Paul Holmes, Martin Horwood, David Howarth, Susan Kramer, John Leech, Matthew Taylor, Mark Williams, Roger Williams
Lords: Lord Dholakia, Lord Ezra, Viscount Falkland, Lord Greaves, Baroness Harris of Richmond, Lord Livsey of Talgarth, former Social Democratic Party leader Lord Maclennan of Rogart, Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer, Lord Newby, Baroness Northover, Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, Lord Redesdale, Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank, Lord Sharman, former Liberal Party leader Lord Steel of Aikwood, Baroness Thomas of Walliswood, Lord Thomson of Monifieth
MEPs: Elspeth Attwooll, Sharon Bowles, Andrew Duff, Liz Lynne
MSPs: Robert Brown, Ross Finnie, Jim Hume, John Farquhar Munro, Alison McInnes, Hugh O'Donnell, Mike Pringle, Jeremy Purvis, Mike Rumbles, Margaret Smith, Jamie Stone
AMs: Mick Bates, Eleanor Burnham, Jenny Randerson
Other notable supporters: parliamentary candidate Sal Brinton, Anna Werrin (campaign manager; former Head of the Leader's Office to Charles Kennedy), Candy Piercy (on the party's Federal Executive, President of the Liberal Democrats Agents Association), Duncan Brack (Chair of the Federal Conference Committee), Polly Toynbee (newspaper columnist)
Newspapers/Magazines: New Statesman

Result

Candidate		Votes	%
	Nick Clegg Y	20,988	50.6
	Chris Huhne	20,477	49.4
Turnout		41,465	64.1
Sources: result, turnout

The turnout at this leadership election was over 10,000 fewer than in the 2006 election. A total of 64,727 ballot papers were issued, compared with 72,064 for the 2006 contest.

References

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Prince, Rosa (15 December 2007). "Chris Huhne prepares for a surprise win". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
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"BBC: Huhne 'to bid for Lib Dem leader'". BBC News. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
^ "BBC: Kennedy 'unlikely to run again'". BBC News. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
^ "My choice for Lib Dem leader".
"Sir Ming reveals exit reasons". Manchester Evening News. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
"Laws: I'm not standing for the leadership".
"Sarah Backs Nick Clegg". Archived from the original on 24 July 2012.
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Huhne to unveil manifesto as nominations close for Lib Dem leadership, Guardian Online, 31 October 2007
Nick Clegg blasts 'unholy alliance' Chris Huhne, Daily Telegraph, 1 November 2007
Nick Clegg answers your questions, Daily Telegraph, 1 November 2007
Huhne woos the left as Lib Dem leadership nominations close, Guardian Online, 1 November 2007
Key points of Clegg and Huhne's leadership manifestos, Guardian Online, 31 October 2007
Lib Dem leadership: voting begins BBC News - The Politics Show, 23 November 2007
Revill, Jo (18 November 2007). "Huhne 'closing' in Lib Dem race". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
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MP Huhne stands by Lib Dem leadership election results The Southern Daily Echo 7 April 2008
Jane Merrick Meet the real leader of the Liberal Democrats Independent on Sunday 6 April 2008
^ "'Be bolder' urges Clegg as he launches leadership campaign". The Independent. London. 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
"Baker and Lloyd back Nick Clegg". Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
^ Summers, Deborah (26 October 2007). "Clegg is firm favourite among Lib Dem MPs". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
^ "Clegg's Positive Campaign has momentum at start of ballot week". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
^ "Supporter List". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
^ "BBC: Clegg picking up Lib Dem backers". BBC News. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
"Farron backs Clegg for Lib Dem leadership bid". North-West Evening Mail. 20 October 2007. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
"David Heath MP Endorses Nick Clegg". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
"Hemming endorses Clegg".
Mulholland, Hélène (2 November 2007). "Hughes backs Clegg for Lib Dem leader". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
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"BBC: Webb will not run for Lib Dem job". BBC News. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
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"Baroness Shirley Williams Endorses Nick Clegg for Liberal Democrat Leader". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
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"Michael German AM Endorses Clegg Campaign". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
"A Bit of a Week".
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"Dick Newby and Anna Werrin to have key roles in Huhne campaign". Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.
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"Wanted: an anti-Establishment insurgent for the third party".
Wintour, Patrick (18 December 2007). "Clegg plans quick reshuffle if he wins Lib Dem leadership". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 December 2007.

External links

v t e 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election
Outgoing Leader: Menzies Campbell
Nick Clegg Chris Huhne
Timeline of events

v t e Liberal, Social Democrat and Liberal Democrat leadership elections
Liberals	1967 1976
SDP	1982
Liberal Democrats	1988 1999 2006 2007 2015 2017 2019 2020 2024

Liberal Democrats

Leadership

Leaders	Steel (Liberal) (1988) Maclennan (SDP) (1988) Ashdown (1988–1999) Kennedy (1999–2006) Campbell (2006–2007) Clegg (2007–2015) Farron (2015–2017) Cable (2017–2019) Swinson (2019) Davey (from 2020)
Deputy leaders	Johnston (1988–1992) Beith (1992–2003) Campbell (2003–2006) Cable (2006–2010) Hughes (2010–2014) Bruce (2014–2015) Swinson (2017–2019) Davey (2019–2020) Cooper (from 2020)
Leaders in the Lords	Seear (Liberal) (1988) Diamond (SDP) (1988) Jenkins (1988–1997) Rodgers (1997–2001) Williams (2001–2004) McNally (2004–2013) Wallace (2013–2016) Newby (from 2016)
Presidents	Wrigglesworth (1989–1990) Kennedy (1991–1994) Maclennan (1995–1998) Maddock (1999–2000) Dholakia (2001–2004) Hughes (2005–2008) Scott (2009–2010) Farron (2011–2014) Brinton (2015–2019) Pack (from 2020)

Leadership elections

Leadership	1988 (Ashdown) 1999 (Kennedy) 2006 (Campbell) 2007 (Clegg) 2015 (Farron) 2017 (Cable) 2019 (Swinson) 2020 (Davey) 2024 (Davey)
Deputy leadership	2003 (Campbell) 2006 (Cable) 2010 (Hughes) 2014 (Bruce) 2017 (Swinson) 2019 (Davey)

Frontbench team
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson

Structure

MPs and Frontbench	Current members of Parliament Frontbench team Chief whip
Frontbench in opposition	Frontbench Team of Paddy Ashdown (1997–1999) Frontbench Team of Charles Kennedy (1999–2006) Frontbench Team of Menzies Campbell (2006–2007) First Frontbench Team of Vince Cable (2007) Frontbench Team of Nick Clegg (2007–2010) Frontbench Team of Tim Farron (2015–2017) Second Frontbench Team of Vince Cable (2017–2019) Frontbench Team of Jo Swinson (2019) Frontbench Team of Ed Davey (2020-present)
State parties	English Liberal Democrats Scottish Liberal Democrats Welsh Liberal Democrats
Regional parties	London Liberal Democrats Northern Ireland Liberal Democrats
Conference	Liberal Democrat Conference
Committees	Federal Board
SAOs	LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Young Liberals (English Young Liberals, Scottish Young Liberals, Welsh Young Liberals/Rhyddfrydwr Ifanc Cymru)

Related organisations
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Beveridge Group Christian Forum Friends of Israel Friends of Turkey History Group Liberal Reform Social Liberal Forum

History and related topics

Breakaway parties
Liberal Party (UK, 1989)

v t e Nick Clegg
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2010–2015) Lord President of the Council (2010–2015) Leader of the Liberal Democrats (2007–2015)
Government	Premiership of David Cameron Cameron–Clegg coalition 2010 coalition negotiations Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement Frontbench Team
Politics	Liberal Democrats East Midlands Sheffield Hallam Opposition Frontbench Team
Elections	2007 (party leadership) 2008 (local) 2009 (local) 2009 (European) 2010 (local) 2010 (general) 2011 (local) 2012 (local) 2013 (local) 2014 (local) 2014 (European) 2015 (general) 2015 (local)
Family	Nicholas Peter Clegg (father) Miriam González Durántez (wife) Hugh Clegg (paternal grandfather) Kira von Engelhardt, Baroness von Smolensk (paternal grandmother) Baroness Moura Budberg (paternal aunt-great-grandmother)
In the media	"The New Coalition Academy" (2010–2015) Britain's Economy: Cameron and Clegg Face the Audience (2010) "Nick Clegg Says I'm Sorry (The Autotune Remix)" (2012) The European Union: In or Out (2014) Coalition (2015) How to Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again) (2017)

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