The election of the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party is hardly hold the front page stuff. However, whoever wins the contest, triggered this week by Simon Hughes’ surprise elevation to ministerial office, will give us a good indication as to where the party currently sees itself.
The election is decided by a vote of Lib Dem MPs, as that is who the deputy leader is there to represent, and can only be contested by those who are not ministers. Coaltion has forced the Lib Dems to look at where they stand ideologically, and who the MPs select as their deputy leader will give a strong indication of their ‘spiritual’ positioning.
A left-wing candidate would show a determination of the party to keep themselves within touching distance of Labour. A win for a more Orange Book candidate, like Jeremy Browne, would certainly be a major victory for that wing of the party, solidifying their position at the top of the Lib Dems.
Disappointingly the Speccie’s Steerpike has revealed a lack of support for Browne, who is my preferred candidate.
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