BRITAIN: Mark Oaten declared his candidacy for the leadership of Britain's Liberal Democrats yesterday with a pledge to modernise the party and lead it to power. Frank Millar, London Editor, reports.
And he opened an early attack on front-runner Sir Menzies "Ming" Campbell, with a warning to his party to resist an "interim" solution in favour of electing a leader capable of leading them "into this parliament and beyond".
At the same time Mr Oaten's campaign manager, Lembit Opik, signalled that continued bitterness about the enforced resignation of Charles Kennedy was likely to cloud the leadership election, the result of which will be announced on March 2nd.
While vowing not to exploit the issue for electoral purposes, Mr Opik said: "Myself and Mark were loyal to the very end with Charles Kennedy. I'm not going to reopen that very sore period in the Liberal Democrats' recent history. There was resentment and a lot of bitterness, but now we can reunify."
Following his formal declaration, Mr Oaten also said he had great respect for Sir Menzies, describing him as a statesman, well-regarded by the public, well-regarded by the party.
However, in an article in the London Evening Standard, Mr Oaten made obvious reference to his rival's age - Sir Menzies will be 68 at the next election - saying the party needed a leader with the vigour and energy to take it "into this parliament and beyond".
Sir Menzies brushed off suggestions that he might be too old to assume the task of fighting a reinvigorated Conservative Party under David Cameron, saying: "It's not a question of how many years you've been around, but about how vigorous you are and how open-minded you are."
Party president Simon Hughes is expected to announce his intentions tomorrow.
A poll for yesterday's London Times showed support for the Lib Dems at 16 per cent, its lowest level since 2001.