Vince Cable set to become new Liberal Democrat leader as Ed Davey says he will not stand – Telegraph.co.uk

Sir Vince Cable looks set to become Liberal Democrat leader after all of his partys senior MPs ruled themselves out of the race to succeed Tim Farron.

Nominations for the contest are open for another three weeks but after former cabinet minister Sir EdDaveysaid he would not run for family reasons, Sir Vince appeared to be on course for a coronation as the only declared candidate.

The party is facing its second hunt for a new leader in two years following the post-election resignation of Mr Farron over the conflict between his faith and political career.

If elected, SirVince, 74,would be the party's oldest leader of a major party since Sir Winston Churchill, who was 80 when he stepped down as Conservative leader.

By the time of the next scheduled election in 2022 he would be 79 - older than anyone elected Prime Minister except William Gladstone, aged 82 in 1892.

The news also raises the prospect that three politicians, who are pensioners or near the state pension age of 66, will lead the three main parties into the next general election, which is expected in 2022.

In 2022, Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, will be 73 and Theresa May, the Tory leader, will be 65. In contrast, Nigel Farage, if he stands to be leader of the UK Independence Party, will be 58.

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Vince Cable set to become new Liberal Democrat leader as Ed Davey says he will not stand - Telegraph.co.uk