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Sir Vince Cable calls for Lib Dems to let non-members vote in leadership contests for free

Under-pressure leader to announce series of major changes designed to improve party's prospects

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
Friday 07 September 2018 00:06 BST
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Sir Vince Cable will say the Liberal Democrats' 12 MPs should become little more than the 'political arm' of a wider movement
Sir Vince Cable will say the Liberal Democrats' 12 MPs should become little more than the 'political arm' of a wider movement

Sir Vince Cable has called for Liberal Democrat supporters to be able to vote in the party’s leadership contests for free as part of a plan to turn it into a "movement for moderates".

The Lib Dem leader wants his party to adopt a “registered supporter” system that would allow non-members to help decide who becomes leader.

The proposal is similar to the Labour Party system that helped Jeremy Corbyn seize the leadership in 2015. While Labour's registered supporters have to pay £3, however, Sir Vince will call for voting in Liberal Democrat contests to be free.

He will use a speech today to propose a series of reforms designed to transform his party's fortunes and build support for Lib Dem campaigns, including their opposition to Brexit.

It comes amid reports Sir Vince could announce his intention to stand down before the next election.

The former business secretary, 75, has faced pressure over his party’s performance in the polls and suggestions that senior figures want to oust him.

Party sources have insisted there are "no plans" for him to step down "any time soon", but he is unlikely to lead the Liberal Democrats into the next election if it is not until 2022.

In a speech outlining a series of major internal reforms, Sir Vince will ask the party to back proposals including the introduction of a supporters’ scheme.

He is expected to say: “We should widen membership with a new class of ‘supporters’ who pay nothing to sign up to the party’s values. They should enjoy a range of entitlements, including the right to vote for the leadership and to shape the party’s campaigning online.

“The Liberal Democrats already have an army of voluntary helpers and deliverers, as well as 200,000 online supporters, who loosely identify with us and campaign with us, but currently have no say in the direction of the party."

He will add: “Whatever rights our new supporters gain, we as a party aim to be in constant conversation with them, engaging them in campaigns and urging them to begin campaigns of their own.

"I want these not to be just about stopping things but about growing support for the things that matter to Liberal Democrat voters, and to the vast swathe of voters in the centre ground whom we are yet to persuade.

Reports suggest Sir Vince could also call for people who are not MPs to be allowed to stand for the party leadership - a move that could provoke a backlash from potential candidates who are MPs, including Jo Swinson, Ed Davey and Laila Moran. Sir Vince reportedly discussed his proposals with Lib Dem MPs before Parliament's summer break.

Calling for the party's 12 MPs to become little more than the “political arm” of a wider movement, he will suggest the Liberal Democrats should become more like a grassroots campaigning organisation.

He will say: “Groups like More United, 38 Degrees, Avaaz and Change.org have shown us how these regular conversations can happen, how we can engage hundreds of thousands of people online.

“I want our party to do that and to offer our movement a political arm within Parliament. So it is not just a protest group banging at the door, but a movement with a voice on the inside - our parliamentary party.

He will add: “The Liberal Democrats are not a socialist party concerned with extreme-left entryism or a right-wing party trying to keep out extreme right-wingers. We are a centre-ground, pro-European, liberal and social democratic party, welcoming like-minded supporters.

“This will be a Movement for Moderates.”

In 90 seconds: Vince Cable becomes Lib Dem leader

Labour's registered supporter scheme was introduced under Ed Miliband in 2014 and was widely credited with helping Mr Corbyn clinch the party leadership a year later, although the left-winger also topped the ballot of full party members.

Sir Vince has come under pressure to improve his party's prospects as polls suggest they would win just 10 per cent of the vote at a general election.

The Liberal Democrats saw their vote share fall in May's council elections, although they gained 76 seats.

Critics say the party's anti-Brexit message is failing to attract significant support from Labour and Conservative voters opposed to Britain leaving the EU.

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