Liberal Democrats chief whip Alistair Carmichael is considering a bid to replace Vince Cable as leader
The MP for Orkney and Shetland MP will pitch himself as the experienced choice, according to party insiders
HE Lib Dem’s chief whip Alistair Carmichael is considering throwing his hat into the ring to replace outgoing leader Sir Vince Cable, The Sun has learnt.
Party insiders said the Orkney and Shetland MP, who served in the Cabinet as Scotland Secretary during the Coalition government, would pitch himself as the experienced choice.
He is expected to be up against deputy Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson and ex-Environment Secretary Sir Ed Davey. Sir Vince is expected to quit as leader after Thursday’s European elections.
Mr Campbell is a popular figure within the party but was nearly ousted as an MP after being caught out for lying about a confidential government leak ahead of the 2015 General Election.
Yesterday a shock YouGov poll put the Lib Dems in second place behind the Brexit Party for Thursday’s Euro elections.
The survey of more than 7,000 people put the party on 16 per cent - 1 point above Labour and the Tories on 9 per cent.
Even the Green party is polling higher than the Conservative party - on 10 per cent, according to the poll for The Times.
The Sun also understands that Sir Ed is poised to run his leadership campaign on a campaign to revoke Article 50 without even holding a second referendum.
Earlier this week rising Lib Dem star Layla Moran pulled out of the race - weeks after admitting she was once arrested for assaulting a boyfriend.
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