Letter: Lib Dem battle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: It is good to see The Independent being first to the surprise story of the political summer - that Simon Hughes will win the Lib Dem leadership.
Activists inside the party have become increasingly convinced of this as the campaign has progressed. We have watched with amazement how wrongly the majority of the press have read the campaign and how willing they have been to accept the Kennedy camp's spinning for Charles.
Here in the North-east the majority of constituency chairs and group leaders are supporting Simon Hughes. Even more significantly for an election conducted under the alternative vote is the fact that supporters of David Rendel, Malcolm Bruce and Jackie Ballard are almost universally placing Simon second. Charles is, rightly or wrongly, seen as far too close to Labour.
In the unlikely event of a Kennedy victory on the back of armchair members' votes, his first task will be to secure the activists' confidence.
RONNIE BEADLE
Deputy Chair, Northern Region Lib Dems
Gateshead
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments