Two more MPs back Huhne December 12, 2007
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MPs Matthew Taylor (Truro and St. Austell) and John Leech (Manchester Withington) are now on board for Chris – confirming that his momentum is continuing to grow.
Matthew Taylor said:
“I have taken my time to decide this time, because both candidates have excellent qualities. The pressures of the campaign hustings, interviews and debates reveal a lot about leadership quality, and over and over Chris Huhne has shown experience counts when it matters most – under pressure.
“I am sure Nick Clegg will one day make an excellent leader too, but Chris has shown that he has right now what it takes to win in the toughest arena of them all, head to head with the other Party leaders. Taking on Gordon Brown, and side-lining the Conservatives, is a tough call, and I think Chris Huhne has shown himself the best equipped to do it. “
Chris’s call on climate chaos December 11, 2007
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I was holed up in bed with man flu over the weekend and so missed Chris addressing the climate change rally in central London, but extracts from his speech are now available on his campaign web site.
Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne called for the international community to by-pass the Bush White House if that is what it takes to achieve an ambitious new treaty on climate change.
At last Bush is isolated. His is the only government not to send a high-level delegation to Bali. Across America ordinary Americans are saying enough is enough, and taking environmental action into their own hands.
“In 10 months, 27 days and a little over 8 hours Americans will elect a new President. And I am confident that whoever replaces the toxic Texan will begin to face up to the reality of climate change.”
Toxic Texan? The alliterations just keep coming…
Video: Chris Huhne on raising the party’s profile December 7, 2007
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This is a really concise and clear video in which Chris describes raising the party’s profile as the “single most important job” of the leader. This video forms part of the party’s YouTube hustings.
EXCLUSIVE: Canvassing reveals undecideds flocking to Chris Huhne December 5, 2007
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Exciting news just in from Chris’s campaign team:
Chris Huhne’s campaign team have released details of canvassing figures obtained by an independent third party organisation which confirm a late surge in support for him. The figures show that the number of undecided voters has fallen dramatically over the past ten days (from 38.4% to 17.5%) and that these members have plumped overwhelmingly for Chris.
Details of the figures are as follows:
Chris Huhne definite – 44.7%
Nick Clegg definite – 15.2%
Chris Huhne leaning – 5.3%
Nick Clegg leaning – 1.5%
Undecided – 17.5%
Won’t say – 14.4%
Anna, Chris’s campaign manager said “These figures are fantastic and confirm what our own canvassing is showing – that the late votes really are coming Chris’s way. Of course many people will have voted early and Nick may have won the early votes. But no-one should assume there are any foregone conclusions; this is a leadership election which is going to go right down to the wire. Chris has run a great campaign but the last week has been exceptional. He has shown that he’s not just strong on policy – he also has the real ability to communicate well and establish a presence for the Party in the media.”
And so say all of us, Anna, and so say all of us.
Dr. Evan Harris MP: Why I’m backing Chris November 17, 2007
Posted by richardhuzzey in Announcements, News.1 comment so far
Evan Harris, for Oxford West and Abingdon, endorsed Chris Huhne after his successful Question Time performance. He says:
I have known Chris Huhne for over 20 years as a political campaigner, journalist, businessman, MEP and leading party spokesman. He was SDP candidate in Oxford West and Abingdon in 1987 when his energetic campaign paved the way for my gaining the seat 10 years later. He has lost none of his energy, as he showed last night on Question Time. Both candidates are very effective communicators but I have been particularly struck by Chris Huhne’s commitment to ensuring that the Liberal Democrats remain a progressive and radical party. He is committed to social justice as a top priority and to the protection of equitable access to public services.
Navnit and Evan: “Chris to win!” November 16, 2007
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After his successful debate performance on Question Time, Huhne’s “big mo” has grown further with two top parliamentary endorsements. Lord Navnit Dholakia (former Party President) and Dr. Evan Harris MP have decided to back Chris Huhne for Lib Dem leader.
Chris has responded:
This is fantastic news. Navnit is a much loved figure within the party and his advice on party organisation and the issues of diversity will be enormously helpful. Evan is a high profile campaigner on civil liberties and I am delighted that he has thrown his weight behind my campaign.
To attract two such high-profile figures underlines the momentum that is building in my campaign for party leadership.
Online hustings begin November 6, 2007
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Chris is taking part in the Party’s online hustings for the leadership election, which are taking place here (the same location as the online hustings for the European and London Mayoral elections). If you’re a member of the party and not yet registered for the forum (or any of the party’s other online tools) then you can do so here.
New Labour sold honours; sue me if you like – Huhne November 4, 2007
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Chris Huhne has been interviewed by today’s Independent on Sunday, and pulled no punches when demonstrating a radical edge that was intolerant of corruption. On New Labour’s peerages for donors:
“It’s quite clear what was going on,” he said. “This was basically a supermarket in honours. It is completely mad to suggest other than this was an organised matter. I am very happy to say that on the record. If they [the Government] think otherwise they can very happily take me to a libel court.
It’s Chris vs Nick October 31, 2007
Posted by Nick in Campaign, News, Policy.1 comment so far
Apologies for the lack of posts over the last couple of days, but I’ve had a bit of a bad back which has limited the time I can spend hunched over a keyboard, typing and searching for information.
Still, it’s now official – there will be two candidates in the leadership election, Chris and Nick Clegg. With the campaign now properly on Chris has launched his manifesto for the campaign, The Liberal Revolution. You can download a copy here.
Chris’s website redesigned and relaunched October 28, 2007
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Now he’s an official candidate, the Chris2Win website has been given a new lick of paint and a new design. There’s also new content there, including statements from Welsh MPs Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnor) and Mark Williams (Ceredigion).
Roger says:
I’m pleased to say that I will be supporting Chris Huhne. I feel that he will be a champion of liberal values and provide strong leadership with a sense of purpose; He will make it clear to people what the Liberal Democrats stand for and will make a fairer and more democratic Britain.
Chris has experience of the world outside of politics and is therefore able to relate to the real aspirations of the British public.
And Mark adds:
Chris Huhne has led the Lib Dem challenge on the Green Agenda. As Shadow DEFRA Secretary he’s taken a tough line, a clear line, and a principled line – qualities we need in our leadership. It’s earned him respect in Parliament and amongst the Green lobby throughout the country.
But Chris isn’t just a political and intellectual heavyweight; I’ve also had first hand experience of his effective campaigning style in my own rural constituency. Ceredigion farmers, residents concerned about flooding, our student community – all meeting Chris for the first time, felt inspired and confident that they were being listened to. This is Chris the effective communicator, on the ground and across the media.
Rugby hustings reports October 28, 2007
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Both The Independent on Sunday and BBC News have articles about the Rugby hustings. If you were there, then please use the comments section to let us know your opinions on them.
David Steel: Huhne offers ability and experience October 26, 2007
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David Steel, former leader of the Liberal party, today endorsed Chris Huhne as the next Liberal Democrat leader. He said:
“I had not intended to declare support for either of the excellent candidates since I have always taken the view that former leaders do not get involved. However, Paddy Ashdown’s support for Nick Clegg has blown my cover, but Paddy told me he had known his choice for years. Similarly I have known Chris Huhne for 25 years, and worked last year with him on the Steel Commission. I therefore enthusiastically endorse him. He is a man of great ability and experience. “
He also commented, “I have known Chris Huhne for 25 years, and worked last year with him on the Steel Commission. I therefore enthusiastically endorse him. He is a man of great ability and experience.”
My colleague on Oxford City Council and Lib Dem Voice, Stephen Tall, quips that it’s 1-1 on endorsements from former leaders between Chris and Nick. I think he’s missed that Lord Maclennan, former SDP leader, has also endorsed Chris. Chalk that up 2-1!
First Leadership Poll: Chris and Nick neck-and-neck with LD voters October 26, 2007
Posted by richardhuzzey in Campaign, News.1 comment so far
The Telegraph have the first poll on the Liberal Democrat leadership election. It is hardly a strong basis of evidence, since they asked participants which contestant they thought would improve our party’s fortunes the most. The clear winner was “don’t know”. But amongst Lib Dem voters, Chris was leading Nick by 2%.
I suspect as any indication of the contest, this is rather imperfect. But it does confirm that nobody knows yet how the membership are feeling, and that it’s all to play for.
Chris is a candidate: official October 25, 2007
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The official site reports that Chris has now submitted his nomination forms and is now an official candidate for leader of the party. However, if you’ve downloaded a nomination form and not sent it in yet (like me – oops!), don’t despair as there’s still an opportunity for you to be one of Chris’ nominators. The campaign team have pledged to hand in every nomination form they receive from party members before the deadline – next Wednesday, the 31st October – so you’ve still got time to sign people up and send it back.
Chris says ambitious renewable targets needed to fight climate change October 24, 2007
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It seems the leadership contest isn’t quite taking up all of Chris’s time at the moment as he still had time to make a statement in his role as the Party’s Shadow Secretary for the Environment. He said:
“The Government must not go back on the ambitious targets recently set by European leaders. It is only by aiming high that we can make real progress in tackling climate change.
“There are major projects such as the Severn barrage scheme that, together with micro-generation, can and must deliver increases in renewable energy.
“Only serious targets will concentrate minds enough to ensure rapid progress.”
