Ming Campbell: the authority to provide principled liberal opposition to an increasingly illiberal, centralising New Labour government
In case you missed it, the Times published the following letter yesterday.
Dear Sir
We are all members of the current Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet.
The last few weeks have been turbulent and challenging for the Liberal Democrats. Our party has faced considerable difficulties from a major media onslaught.
In this context, the outstanding result for Willie Rennie and his team in Dunfermline is the clearest possible reply to our critics and opponents who have been so quick to write us off.
The next major crossroads for the party is the election of a new leader in early March. We are all supporters of Ming Campbell’s leadership bid. Having worked closely with him, we believe he possesses the experience, judgement and credibility to preside over significant new advances in our party’s fortunes. He possesses the undoubted authority to expose the superficial charms of David Cameron and provide principled liberal opposition to an increasingly illiberal, centralising New Labour government.
We urge the party to give him its wholehearted backing.
Yours faithfully
Vincent Cable MP
Nick Clegg MP
Ed Davey MP
David Laws MP
Sarah Teather MP
Alistair Carmichael MP
Norman Lamb MP
Michael Moore MP
Andrew George MP
Norman Baker MP
Tom Brake MP
Don Foster MP
John Thurso MP
Of the 24 members of the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet, 15 (including Ming) are backing Ming’s campaign, 5 are undeclared and a combined total of 4 are backing other candidates.
