Thank you to everyone who voted and who took part in the Liberal Democrats leadership election.
A particular thank you to those whose votes ensured this result.
The challenge now for all of us is to lead this party back towards government at the next election.
Today is not a victory for me; it is a victory for all Liberal Democrats.
Ming Campbell addressed the Liberal Democrat ‘Meeting the Challenge’ conference earlier today:
I want to begin today by paying tribute to Charles Kennedy. In his resignation speech Charles displayed the dignity and courage, which made him such a success as leader of our party. He led us to new heights in two general elections. Today we salute Charles, wish him well and look forward to him returning to the front-line.
I also want to say to my colleagues Mark, Chris and Simon let us have a vigorous contest for the leadership, let us debate issues and policies – but let us remember how much unites us and let us never forget for one second that the real battle for us Liberal Democrats is against Labour and the Conservatives.
I have come here today to affirm my belief in a great cause. It is a cause that has inspired and dominated my whole life. The cause of liberty, of freedom, of justice. The cause that empowers people and liberates communities. The cause that enlightens our world and inspires our politics.
It is the great cause of liberalism. I have always been proud to be a Liberal and a Liberal Democrat and to campaign for this party since I was a student.
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Ming’s article was published in the Times on January 13, 2005
We live in a time of constant, restless change. Consolidation and caution will not be an adequate response, either for our country or for the Liberal Democrats.
Liberal Democracy cannot be a struggle between those who wish to modernise and those who do not. To be a Liberal Democrat is to be a moderniser. I believe that the central task of the Liberal Democrats today is to understand the forces that are likely to shape Britain in the years to come and act upon them.
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Responding to Tony Blair’s comments on extraordinary rendition at his monthly news conference, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, said:
The Prime Minister is obviously determined to continue with his hear no evil, see no evil policy.
But these allegations will not go away. So long as there is no requirement for aircraft transiting through British military or civilian airfields to specify who their passengers are, there will be anxiety and conjecture.
Commenting on reports of increased use of UK airports by American aircraft engaged in “rendition” of people to countries where torture is permitted, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, said:
“So-called ‘rendition’ is illegal and immoral.
The UK should not facilitate the transfer of individuals from countries where torture is illegal to countries where it is permissible.
We should have no part of that.”
