Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election, 2006

Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election

29 March 2006

Candidate Vince Cable Matthew Taylor Party Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat Popular vote 31 29 Percentage 49.2 46.8

Deputy Leader before election Sir Menzies Campbell Elected Deputy Leader Vince Cable

The 2006 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election began on 2 March 2006, when the sitting Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Menzies Campbell, was elected leader of the party. Campbell had been deputy leader since February 2003.

The post was elected by and from the party's 63 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, who voted on 29 March 2006. Vince Cable was elected as deputy leader in the second round.

There were three candidates: Vince Cable, David Heath and Matthew Taylor. Three further MPs, Susan Kramer, Phil Willis and Ed Davey, canvassed support from colleagues but did not enter nominations.^[1]

Result

First round
Candidate		Votes	%
	Matthew Taylor	25	39.7
	Vince Cable	21	33.3
	David Heath	17	27.0
Turnout		63	100%

David Heath was eliminated after the first round and his second preferences were redistributed.^[2]

Second round
Candidate		Change	Votes	%
	Vince Cable	+10	31	49.2
	Matthew Taylor	+4	29	46.8
	Not transferable	+3	3	4.8
Turnout			63	100%

See also

• Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election, 2003

References

1. Celia Walden (2006-03-14). "Spy". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2006-03-16.
2. "Cable elected Lib Dem deputy leader". ePolitix.com. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 2006-03-29.