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Mark Oaten said in his launch speech: This contest is not just about modernising the party. But it is about the issue of whether it is left or right, or social economic or liberal economic. And I believe that in fact those are the wrong phrases. We need now to merge those ideas together and create a modern Liberal party for the 21st century. I happen to agree with him that both these

Well that is the headline on this BBC article. Does Tony know something about this Celebrity Big Brother contestant who is facing eviction and part time Respect MP.

From time to time I hear the term Orange Booker used, disparagingly, to suggest that some Liberal Democrats are right-wing, Thatcherite or somehow outside the social liberal tradition. With an Orange Booker standing for the leadership, I thought I would go back to the Orange Book to see if the slur fits. In Part 1, I deal with Chapter 2: Liberalism and Localism by Edward Davey. Off the page

Had an interesting YouGov poll today, which seemed to be most concerned about whether potential Lib Dem leadership contender John Hemming was up to the job. Now, I wonder… who could have possibly paid them to run that poll…? Perhaps a national newspaper has decided to champion his cause. Or else it [...]

Mary Reid remembers Tony Banks and shows that I am not the only Lib Dem blogger who went to York University. Jane Leaper visits Ludlow and shows that I am not the only Lib Dem blogger with a love of South Shropshire. And Susanne Lamido proves she is the only Lib Dem blogger with the dash to post this on her own blog.

The BBC explains, and adds this rather fine limerick: A lively young damsel named MenziesInquired: "Do you know what this thenzies?"Her aunt, with a gasp,Replied: "It's a wasp,And you're holding the end where the stenzies."

It has never been clear why Mark Oaten thinks he is qualified to lead the party. Certainly he will have to do better than today's launch statement, unless it was meant to be amusing. Try these extracts for size: Lembit and my wife Linda were up till 2.30 a.m. deciding ... whether or not I should put my name forward to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats. Since Charles resigned on Saturday my office has been literally flooded with hundreds and hundreds of e-mails... You know it is 100 years since the Liberals were last in power. ...

Although the Tories think they are at last starting to make headway following the Liberal Democrats leadership crisis, as James Graham points out this is not necessarily so. The latest poll in The Times has Labour up one on 39%, the Tories up one on 36% and the Liberal Democrats down three on 16%. James records that this is hardly surprising after one of the worst months for the Liberal Democrats in recent memory. However, what is more significant is the fact that Cameron's party is still behind during their very energetic honeymoon period. What gloating Tories like Iain Dale ...

So Tony has unveiled how exactly he proposes to enforce his "respect agenda". Quite apart from the fact that there doesn't seem to be a particularly coherent vision behind this agenda (unless you're talking about the prevention of anti-social behaviour, which sounds less like an agenda and more like an aspiration any reasonable person would agree with), the details of the plan are highly worrying. An increase in on-the-spot fines is perhaps the worst thing; that's just introducing summary justice. Blair says that whilst spitting at an old lady in the street is a crime, the manpower needed to force ...

For all Mark Oaten’s PR background and promise of an energetic campaign, as of now (5.30pm), he hasn’t updated his website since the beginning of December, despite launching his campaign earlier today (correction: actually, I’ve just spotted that the site was updated yesterday. Nothing about the leadership though, let alone a link to a [...]

Some PR wag might want to consider sending a job lot of this to the Lib Dem Parliamentary Party to clear the air.

Sadly it turned out to be a packet of shoplifted haddock in his kecks. He got fined and some stiff remarks from the bench. Had he been able to say in his defence, 'But m' lud it's only a codpiece,' justice would have demanded a small round of applause and a fiver for adding to the gaity of nations.

by Peter At this stage I'm backing Ming for the leadership. And if it isn´t Ming it will be Simon or Mark, I suppose (I can't quite see John Memming pulling it off). But who should be deputy leader? David Laws - love him or hate him, an intellectual powerhouse Ed Davey - bright young man, inconspicuous at education Lynne Featherstone - impressing many in her early months in Parliament Nick Clegg - most people's hot tip for next leader Andrew George - a radical voice from the south west. UPDATE anonymous (she gets everywhere, ...

To maintain the concurrence of Holyrood and Scottish council elections the Electoral Commission has recommended that the count for Holyrood should held over until the following day. With the first Scottish Council election under STV starting on the Saturday morning. This will mean that the counters at least will be fresh, however I think the party activists are still going to be exhausted the

by Peter There is a piece on Ming on Guardian Online. One phrase caught my eye Many in the party are tired of being caricatured as sandal-wearing intellectual lightweights: Sir Menzies is neither of those things. Somehow one can't picture Ming in sandals. Elsewhere, Nick Robinson has resurrected an old interview on his newsblog. One passage caught my eye, when Ming is quotes a famous - er - Jamaican philosopher who said "what do they know of cricket that only cricket know?" and goes on to adapt it "what do they know of politics ...

My team have now obtained the details of how to get nominated. There are, in fact, nomination forms and the use of Email formally for nomination is insufficient. We are, therefore, posting out nomination forms to those people who are collecting constituency nominations. Later today we had people approach us from, Ashfield and London WC1. If you want nomination forms please email me at john.hemming@jhc.co.uk

"My Intern's Eyes" is the name of the series premiere of Scrubs Season 5 and I watched it last night (totally legally), and to be honest, I feel cheated. Whilst it was a good, funny episode, I couldn't shake the feeling I've seen it before. JD is still being tormented by the Janitor, Cox is still giving JD a new lesson every week and Elliot is still socially awkward. This show seriously needs

Under the radar today, shock revelation that Ming Campbell drives a Jag (and I thought it was War Rocket Ajax). There's a serious point here though. Much debate was expended in Blackpool last year on how to persuade people to drive their cars less. The proposal under scrutiny was the use of road pricing instead of fuel duty. Now I would have thought that our high fuel duty would be an effective means of encouraging people to burn less fossil fuel - but it doesn't seem to work. A few years ago, car ads were full of claims ...

Nope, not more on George Galloway, but "New" Labour's latest policy initative. According to the BBC, the main measures are: Consulting on idea of evicting nuisance families from their homes for three monthsPolice and councils to have to hold "face the people" sessions - with the public able to demand tougher actionMore use of parenting orders and a new national parenting academy to train officials

Very excited at news that Mark is standing so will order our 'Oatensogood' T-shirts now. Note that one of our big donors shares the same views as Robin and I on the Kennedy assassination which he suggests was the work of Ming Campbell. He is withdrawing his funds. Lynne Featherstone sent me a standard reply in response to my earlier email to her. Bit disappointed in the girls really – we could have had a female stalking horse I guess. But then again there are those who even say that Mark is too ‘young’ or ‘not ready’ despite his 8 ...

Tony Blair's latest eye-catching initiative is his so-called "respect agenda". This is the continuation of the moral crusade against "anti-social behaviour" that began with ASBOs. Now, I think all agree that anti-social behaviour is bad. Living close to nuisance neighbours is a terrible experience, and petty vandalism, harassment and violence can make a misery of the lives of ordinary people. But Tony Blair's solution is that familiar New Labour brew of illiberalism, short-sightedness and centralism, delivered with the usual garnish of spin. The latest wheeze includes plans to "[evict people] from their own homes for three months ...

Mark Oaten has declared to stand for the party leadership. This is a terribly follically challenged potential leadership line-up and it appears to be well-known that bald guys don't win elections (Mirror - not the most reliable source in the world but still...). In fact there appears to have been: 'US research showing that the proportion of bald men holding elected office in the USA is four

At last a bit of sanity in the Liberal Democrats leadership election! The John Thurso for Prime Minister website launched today sets out an alternative approach for the party. John was of course an hereditary peer before becoming an MP, so somebody thought they would have a bit of fun at his expense: But what would John do if elected as Prime Minister? • John is committed to the decentralisation of power and will reintroduce Barons for each constituency. Any persons earning under £13,000 per annum will become their serfs.• Thus, as Thurso wishes to improve choice ...

Yesterday was the final day of one of our local School's centenary. Today it is 101 yrs old!The end of years worth of celebrations was marked by the unveiling/ribbon cutting by the Lord Mayor of a set of gates leading out onto Muntz park.Where the gates our used to be a toilet block, and wall blocking off the park completely. Now the park can be accessed from the School, and they can see out onto the green space as well.The gates incorporate small bits of design by the kids, as well as a piece of Muntz metal. (For it was ...

Early nominations today are from Teignbridge and Aberdeen. I am close to having nominations from 20 constituencies now including the Birmingham Constituencies. It is, however, important that my campaign is broadly based. I am consulting with supporters on details of the position statements that are needed. It remains, of course, that I may have some difficulties getting the backing from MPs. However, we still have a fortnight for that. Once I have support from the constituencies there is a solid case that I should be allowed to stand because the members want me to stand. ...

by Robin. As things develop in the leadership campaign and I am reflecting on the events of the last few days (or year as it seems), I find my self drawing a comparison between Menzies Campbell and his easier to pronounce name sake Ming The Merciless of Flash Gordon fame. Ming (The Merciless), was a evil man who destroyed all those who stood in his way. Now I would not go so far as to say that Ming (the MP) is as evil as this - certainly to my knowledge he has never brought down a rain of asteroids ...

The Federal Executive got it dead right. The timetable is set for a quick and democratic leadership election, with the new leader set to be crowned in time for Harrogate. Perfect. Mark Oaten has now confirmed that he will stand, and all eyes must be on Simon Hughes. One of the most interesting questions is - who else? The bookies favourite is still Ming of course - perhaps because no-one can resist the future prospects of commons clashes between Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless! But let us remember that David Cameron was a rank outsider ...

A hat nod to James over at Quaequam for the link to the most unlikely of bids to establish a new leader and PM.I met Thurso during the Hodge Hill by-election, a most unlikely figure to be out canvassing in almost any part of the constituency! I was the recipient of lunchtime leftovers after he'd ordered a "double sausage and chips" from the magnificent eatery next door to the HQ. Little did he expect to receive two portions of a sausage and chips.

David Cameron and his Conservative Party yesterday performed yet another u-turn. This time on student finance saying that it supports student tuition fees, they had previously promised to scrap all fees, including top-ups being being imposed on students in England.

Sorry James of the usually excellent quaequamblog! The Tories are SOUNDING more centrist, but all they are doing thus far is ditching the more unpopular policies and replacing them with nothing at all. Whilst this might eventually translate into policies that ape Blair a coalition will NEVER happen in my view, no matter how close the parties come in policy terms. As the 'Brian Sedgemore' of Torquay with 15 years' experience of membership of the Labour Party I can tell you the tribal antipathy that activists have for the Tories would never allow for a FORMAL coalition. Whatever Labour people ...

What attributes should a new leader have?

Discuss the direction of the Liberal Democrats in fiscal terms.

Discuss Charles Kennedy's achievments.

Ming Campbell discusses the leadership election with Sarah Teather [not] I'll remember when Kennedy finally resigned because I was in Cambridge at the time and 3 of us were watching his resignation speech repeated at 15 minute intervals on BBC News 24. By that point I was somewhat glad he had decided to resign because it felt as if the only way it could have felt more of a pantomine was if Mark

I've got to say, a contest between these four (if it happened) wouldn't get me excited or fill me with much enthusiasm. I hope there's still time for someone else to emerge (A Campbell v Willis contest could get quite interesting, if Willis took it seriously) On the other hand, I wasn't a fan of Charles Kennedy before he became leader...

The Times, rightly, point out that the latest Populus poll makes grim reading for the Lib Dems. The results are Labour 39% (+1), Conservative 36% (+1), Lib Dem 16% (-3). But hang on a second… it is also saying that a month into Cameron’s leadership he has entirely failed to narrow the gap [...]