Lib Dem leader Vince Cable denies he is planning to quit party
Reports suggested MP would use September policy speech to announce he is stepping down
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.Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable is not planning to quit the party “any time soon”, party sources have said after reports he will use a September speech to announce he is stepping down.
Sir Cable, who took over from Tim Farron after last year’s election, is due to give a policy speech on 7 September, a week before the party gathers in Brighton for its annual conference.
The Sunday Times and Business Insider both suggested that he would use the speech to announce plans to step down before the next general election, which is scheduled for 2022, when he would be 78 or 79.
They reported that he could also unveil plans to allow people to run for party leader if they are not an MP. The party currently has 12 MPs.
A party source told the Press Association: “He’s not about to stand down, or use the speech to stand down.
“There are no plans to step down any time soon.”
They also said that the idea of allowing a non-MP to be party leader is “not set in stone, but it’s an option”.
Some parties have had leaders who are not among their MPs in Westminster.
They include current SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is first minister in Scotland, and former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, who stood unsuccessfully at the 2015 election.
Press Association
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments