Leader of the Liberal Democrats has announced that he plans to resign next year once Brexit is ‘resolved or stopped’.
In a speech, the 75-year-old leader said that he would resign to make way for the new leadership to be elected under newly reformed rules for the party.
He plans to create a “movement for moderates” which would mean that anyone could sign up for free and vote for the next leader.
The leader dispelled rumours of his possible resignation for the meantime and said that his stepping down would not happen in a matter of weeks.
“Now is not the time for an internal election, once Brexit is resolved or stopped, that will be the time to conduct a leadership election under the new rules.”
Cable stated that he would also continue to campaign for a second referendum.
The party’s number of MPs has decreased significantly from 2010 with just 12 MPs compared to the 57 MPs they had in 2010.
The party has struggled to recuperate since their coalition government which was formed with the Conservatives in 2010.
Sir Vince stated:
“I think we have to recognise that despite our best efforts, the Liberal Democrats might not be the only centre force in British politics. I think it is the worst kept secret in Westminster that political disquiet in the two major parties, is provoking some people to consider a new party of the centre ground, or several. And I think this requires us to demand better than the usual tribalism, whether that is our own or others.”
“Liberal democracy itself is under threat notably in the USA, in eastern Europe and perhaps here. Authoritarians and extremists of both right and left are on the march.”
