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Who will be the next Lib Dem leader? Latest odds on who could replace Vince Cable

Sir Vince Cable plans to remain MP for Twickenham

SIR Vince Cable announced he will step down in May to make way for a "new generation".

The 75-year-old said the party leadership contest will begin after forthcoming council elections. Here are the latest odds and predictions on who could replace him…

 Vince Cable has revealed he will soon step down as Liv Dem leader
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Vince Cable has revealed he will soon step down as Liv Dem leaderCredit: PA:Press Association

What are the latest odds?

(Data from )

  • Layla Moran - 11/10
  • Jo Swinson – 11/10
  • Ed Davey - 10
  • Christine Jardie - 20
  • Tom Brake - 20
  • Norman Lamb – 20
 Layla Moran was one of four female Lib Dem MPs elected to parliament in June 2017
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Layla Moran was one of four female Lib Dem MPs elected to parliament in June 2017Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Who are the front runners and what do they do?

Sir Vince, who plans to remain MP for Twickenham, had previously said there would not be a leadership election until "Brexit is resolved or stopped".

Mr Cable declined to name potential successors, but told the Daily Mail: "We've got several very good internal candidates - you can work out who they are. The worst thing I can do is to start promoting them."

May's leadership contest will leave the Lib Dems searching for their fourth leader in four years.

Jo Swinson

Ahead of the last Lib Dem leadership election, many suspected that Swinson would seek the top job following her victory over the SNP in Dunbartonshire East.

She was seen as the favourite to succeed Tim Farron, but in the end decided not to run, and became the party’s deputy leader instead.

Norman Lamb

Norman Lamb stood against former leader Tim Farron in 2015 and it was thought he would stand again.

However, he did not run following Farron's resignation.

 Norman Lamb claims Lib Dems have become out of touch with the public over Brexit
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Norman Lamb claims Lib Dems have become out of touch with the public over BrexitCredit: PA:Press Association

The MP for North Norfolk claimed the Lib Dems had become out of touch with the public over Brexit as he called for ‘new style of politics’.

He chose not to run in the last leadership race leaving Vince Cable the only declared candidate.

Ed Davey

The MP for Kingston and Surbiton dropped out of the last leadership race due to “family reasons”.

At the time, he called on the Liberal Democrats to be “the party of reform” and “super-ambitious.

 Ed Davey dropped out of the last leadership race due to family reasons
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Ed Davey dropped out of the last leadership race due to family reasonsCredit: PA:Press Association

 

Layla Moran

One of four female Lib Dem MPs to be elected to parliament in June 2017, Moran stands a reasonable chance of becoming the party’s next leader.

She ruled out a leadership bid in the last contest, saying that as a newly elected MP she wanted to concentrate on her constituents.

Nick Clegg

Former Lib Dem leader and deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg could potential come back to the party.

Speaking on BBC’s Today programme in April 2018, Sir Nick said he would prefer the Liberal Democrats to fill the gap he said existed in politics.

Gina Millerr

Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller ruled herself out of a bid for the leadership, telling BBC Radio 4's Today: "No, no, no, I'm definitely not doing that."

Sir Vince Cable sparked fury today after he said there is a one in five chance Brexit will not happen
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