Archbishop of Canterbury leads chorus of claims that Tim Farron was forced out because of his faith as Jo Swinson made favourite to replace him
Justin Welby said the MP was ‘honourable and decent’ after he quit claiming he found it ‘impossible’ to be a Christian AND a politician
THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury has led a chorus of claims today that Tim Farron was forced out as Liberal Democrat leader because of his faith.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby said the MP was “honourable and decent” after the 47-year-old quit last night, claiming he found it “impossible” to be a Christian and a politician.
It came after his election campaign was overshadowed by repated questioning over his views on gay sex, and the resignation of the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Brian Paddick because of his views on homosexuality.
But he has been defended by Christian groups and senior figures within the party, as returning MP Jo Swinson is installed as favourite to replace him.
Former deputy leader Sir Simon Hughes, who is himself bisexual, said it was "brave and honourable to say what he did".
Sir Simon, who has been friends with Mr Farron since university, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He said very clearly he had become the subject of suspicion because of what I believe or what my faith is ... and it would be the same for people of other faiths who have strong faith views.
"Where there are issues which are very controversial within that faith community it became unfairly difficult that Tim was put in the firing line and felt that he couldn't adequately do justice to his faith while upholding the liberal values which he has argued for all his life."
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But another heavy hitter in the party, ex-Cabinet Minister David Laws said despite helping rebuild the party after the disastrous 2015 election Mr Farron was right to resign this week.
He said: “You cannot be a leader of a liberal party while holding fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced views, which fail to respect our party’s great traditions of promoting equality for all our citizens.”
Lib Dems runners and riders
Contenders to replace Tim Farron are not due formally to put their name forwards until the start of Parliament's summer break, but here are some of those in the frame:
- Norman Lamb: The Liberal Democrat spokesman on health stood in the 2015 contest to replace Nick Clegg as leader, losing to Mr Farron by 43.5% to 56.5%. The 59-year-old has been MP for North Norfolk since 2001 and is seen as belonging to the centre-right wing of the party having been a close ally of Mr Clegg.
- Sir Ed Davey: The former energy and climate change minister returned to Parliament at last week's election having lost his seat at the 2015 election. He developed the policy of a penny on income tax for education as Treasury spokesman, and was chief of staff to Sir Menzies Campbell during his brief leadership of the party.
- Jo Swinson: She was installed as the bookies' favourite for the leadership just days after returning to Parliament as MP for Dunbartonshire East – taking the seat back from the SNP after losing in 2015. At 37 she is the youngest of the possible contenders as well as the only woman thought likely to stand, but has experience as a junior minister in the Coalition government.
- Sir Vince Cable: The former business secretary is the Liberal Democrats' elder statesman and has previously served as acting leader in 2007 and was deputy leader from 2006-10. Another returning MP, he is the party’s biggest household name having warned of the looming financial crisis ahead of the 2008 crash, but at 74 would face questions over whether he is too old to take over.
Writing for the , Mr Laws said: “Many of us have despaired over the last few weeks in seeing all the good work of Liberal Democrats, such as Lynne Featherstone – who drove through the equal marriage legislation under the coalition – undermined by Tim’s failure to be able to give direct and liberal responses on his own attitudes to homosexuality.”
And he accused the ex-party boss of propagating “the dangerous myth that our society can respect and embrace people in same sex relationships, while believing their activities and character to be in some way immoral”.
Mr Laws said the party must “move from the outdated, prejudiced and dangerous attitudes of yesterday to recognise the equality of all citizens, without regard to sex, sexuality, race, creed or colour”.
Vince Cable and Norman Lamb became the first Lib Dems to suggest that they might run for the leadership to replace Mr Farron.
Mr Lamb, who lost the last leadership election in 2015, tweeted today: "Thanks to all those who have contacted me urging me to stand. I'm talking to Mary, family, friends & colleagues. Will then make decision."
Sir Vince refused to rule out a leadership bid, telling the Independent: "I'm consulting colleagues to get their views on what is the next best step for the party."