Message from Vince Cable MP

10.16.02am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Dec 2007

Vince Cable

With the result of the leadership election announced today, acting leader Vince Cable sends a message to members thanking them for their support over the last couple of months.

Dear Members,

I wanted to send a message to members to thank you for the support that you have given the party - and me personally - over the last couple of months.

The overall profile of the party has risen considerably, showing us in a favourable light, and there are signs that this has translated into improved opinion poll ratings. We have also had a closely fought leadership contest between two excellent candidates, the result of which will be known on Tuesday.

The political landscape is changing

I have drawn several political lessons from the short experience I have had in my leadership role. First, the political landscape is changing rapidly. After a decade and a half of Labour dominance I sense that terminal damage has been done to Labour's claims to be a competent government.

Gordon Brown gives every impression of not being up to the job. The economy, his perceived principal success, is beginning to show signs of a serious slowdown combined with an incipient sharp fall in the housing market.

If Labour's support collapses, that gives us a major opportunity for us but also - potentially - for the Conservatives. Our task now will be to present ourselves as a more attractive and credible alternative than the Tories for people who used to vote for new Labour but won't again.

We must be a radical party

Second, we must be a radical party challenging the conventional wisdom and cosy establishment consensus. I have been fortunate on my watch to have been able to take up a series of high profile issues which highlight our principles: the government's cynical cosying up to the brutal and corrupt, but oil rich, regime in Saudi Arabia; the dangerous and insecure centralisation of confidential personal data in government databases; the neglect of soldiers who have been required to put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan but whose housing and health is neglected; our government's use of massive amounts of taxpayers' money to pursue solutions to the problems of the Northern Rock bank which could enrich private speculative investors while failing to protect the taxpayer.

I personally look forward to playing an active role under whichever new leader you choose.

Yours faithfully,

Vincent Cable MP

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats

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