Politics

The party leader, who took over from Nick Clegg in 2017, says he will quit after the May local elections.

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable tonight fired the starting gun on the race to replace him by announcing he would quit after the May local elections.

He told members in an email: “I wanted you, our members, to know that, assuming Parliament does not collapse into an early General Election, I will ask the party to begin a leadership contest in May.”

The move comes as the party faithful gather in York on Friday night for their Spring Conference.

He signalled his plan to stand down last September at their Autumn gathering in Brighton.

But he faced criticism for failing to spell out a precise timetable for his resignation.

He said last night: “It has been my great privilege to lead the Liberal Democrats at this crucial time.

“I inherited the leadership after two difficult and disappointing General Elections.

“But I take pride in seeing the party recovering strongly, with last year’s local election results the best in 15 years, record membership and a central role in the People’s Vote campaign.

And long after my period as your Leader ceases, I will continue to work with you and my successor to make sure the Liberal Democrats are at the centre of Britain’s rapidly changing politics.”

Sir Vince, 75, was Business Secretary in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition from 2010-15.

He had always craved the party leadership.

But he was denied the crown as he lost his seat in Twickenham, South West London, in the party’s general election meltdown in 2015.

He won it back at the 2017 snap poll and claimed the reins without being challenged.

Critics accused his premiership of being lacklustre and demanded an injection of fresh air, leading him to plot a path to his resignation.