Ming has called it a day

Well, when should you call it a day? Today obviously! Menzies Campbell has announced he's standing down as Lib dem leader. His reason- too much discussion on the leadership, which is taking away from real political discussion- that being what policies they can nick from other parties. (Sorry, it was too easy a hit!)

I know I'm not supposed to, but I actually feel sorry for Ming tonight. According to the BBC he has returned home to his wife in Edinburgh to be consoled. It would only be natural for him to want to be around people he can trust- he certainly won't find many of them in the corridors of Westminster.

If it's one thing that Lib dems do well, its getting rid of leaders, and then appearing as if they are whiter than white to the public. Simon Hughes appeared tonight on our screens all morose(he'd definitely practised the frowning. Perhaps he's having tips from Cameron's team?) but in my opinion, there's no hiding the fact that Ming was pushed. Now that the dust has settled, and we've all stopped being so excited about the snap election, the Lib dems have sat down in their leaflet strewn offices to plot and plan the next leadership coup. Conspiring against one of the best leader they ever had, arguably, in Charles Kennedy, they now know that they have to compete with the young, or the younger guns in Brown and Cameron, so Ming had to go.

If we're still interested by then, the Lib dem leadership should be decided upon by about December. This is surely an avid attempt by a lib dem press officer to make sure that the Lib dems stay in the press until then. Bring on the candidates- Nick Clegg, Simon Hughes, Chris Huhne. What about a woman? Wouldn't that really put a spanner in the works?

Whatever happens, I hope that Ming can still play a part in active politics. Us politicians who are criticised for our age on a regular basis have to stick together. Ok, so he wasn't the most inspiring leader ever, but I don't think he deserved to be made a scape goat for Lib dem failings.

Let the battle for the leadership commence.

When should you call it a day? The story of Campbell and German

News flash today is that Mike German says that he intends to remain as leader of the Assembly Lib dem group until 2008. Now, there must have been group discussion on this, as only a few weeks ago Peter Black was adamant that a leadership contest was needed- a 'fresh mandate' for a leader was the words he used if I can recall.

This will now give Kirsty Williams enough time to shore up support with members after a bruising few months. Or, then again, there could be a Kirsty vs Randerson battle ahead... if you're bothered to keep an interest until then.

It is a concern about what will happen to the Lib dems in Wales up until 2008. They do appear a little lack lustre at the moment as a group, and have little in common to promote until the leadership battle commences in 2008. This is not to say that individuals are not hard working or energised by their role, but a leadership contest now might have been just what they needed.

Anyway, the Lib dem problems in Wales are arguably out done by the UK leadership issue. Today's Independent reports that senior Lib dems have allegedly set until March next year for Campbell to improve his ratings in the polls or make ' a dignified exit.' It was only a matter of time before the cracks started to appear again on this particular issue. The fact that the political debate has now been polarised between the Tories and Labour makes the Lib dem situation look even worse in reality. That and the fact that the other two parties are fighting for the middle ground in British politics, which has again led to a squeeze in support for the Lib dems.

There will, more than likely, be another two years until the General election. Can the party afford to wait around for a renewal in leadership until then?

Lib dem Councillor endorses BNP candidate

Chocking on my Bran flakes this morning( I'm trying to be healthy, not pretentious;-)), I read in the Independent that a Lib dem Councillor in Darlington has been waylaid- signing a nomination form of a BNP candidate for the local elections this May. All legitimate and mainstream political parties should unite against the BNP, in my opinion.

It shall be interesting to see whether Campbell expels the Councillor from the party. I certainly think that this would be the appropriate action to take.