If Sir Menzies Campbell’s youthful athletic prowess had expressed itself in distance running instead of sprinting, the Liberal Democrat leadership race might have looked rather different. Alas for supporters of the former UK 100 metres recordholder, politics is more a marathon. Sir Ming was certainly quickest out of the blocks after Charles Kennedy belatedly recognised that it is not possible to lead a party if its MPs will not follow. But after the first laps of the succession race, the early favourite Sir Ming is looking tired. He has faltered under the lights, allowing a frisky Simon Hughes to overtake on the outside.
Technically, of course, the Liberal Democrat leadership contenders have yet even to reach the start line. Nominations do not close for another eight days. But Sir Ming is already running out of time. After tripping over his own shoelaces at Prime Minister’s Questions last week, he needs a more than solid Commons showing tomorrow to remain competitive.
This is an important moment for the Liberal Democrats and the country. The party is losing its way in a fast-changing political terrain. Tony Blair has an end-of-era feel about him. David Cameron is politically promiscuous, courting all and sundry, left and right. The new Lib Dem leader must be equally bold or jeopardise the party’s best hopes of a serious share of power for a generation.
The contenders squared up for their first, and at times awkward, four-way debate last night, prompting a series of questions for party members to consider. How would a left-leaning party led by Mr Hughes win English constituencies from the Conservatives? Indeed, with Mr Hughes at the helm, there are plenty of Liberal Democrat seats that would become vulnerable to the Tories. Mr Hughes shows every intention of leaving the party in its comfort zone from where it is happy to throw rotten eggs at public service reforms proposed by Labour and the Tories. This soft-centred approach would cost the party its hard-won credibility. Lib Dem members need to be challenged. The enlightened among them will vote against an easy ride.
Mark Oaten’s ideas are more sustainable and he certainly does not lack for ambition. He promises to offer innovation rather than playing to a narrow gallery. Last night he began to show that he could have the poise and personal appeal to lead a major party. Chris Huhne, only eight months an MP, has shown impressive boldness in standing, and the contest is better for his presence. However, it is hard to see why such a dogmatic pro-European would improve the party’s electoral chances. Such questions, in essence, are variations on a theme: do the Lib Dems exist to allow their MPs and supporters to feel better about themselves, or are they serious about power?
Advertisement
Which brings us back to Sir Ming. It takes, thank goodness, more than one fluffed Commons appearance and a handful of underwhelming broadcast interviews to settle a leadership contest. But despite nearly 20 years in Parliament, he remains something of a blank canvas. How he chooses to fill that will be decisive. First, the grand old man has to counter the impression that he would rather receive the crown by coronation than have to fight for it. Without evidence that Sir Ming has both the ability and the will to win, his youthful supporters such as the very able Nick Clegg may need to start preparing contingency plans.