I do not recall it happening before in a Liberal Democrat leadership contest. Though at one point in the 1976 contest between David Steel and John Pardoe things became a little robust[1] but this time people were left bruised. I had the distinct impression that the leadership hopefuls were on the receiving end of suspect tactics usually reserved for Labour and Conservative candidates.
I cannot believe that it was a complete coincidence that Simon Hughes’ secret fell out of the cupboard just at the most damaging moment leading up to his campaign. Nick Clegg was deftly outmanoeuvred into not standing as a candidate. Then there were those curious bets and the “YouGov polls” that first gave the impression that irresistible momentum had gathered behind Chris Huhne’s campaign and then that Sir Menzies was still on top.[2] I suspect that once one or more of the candidates suspected foul play, behind the scenes the gloves came off. Of course, following the announcement of the result this afternoon, it was all smiles, but there will be a reckoning.
Trust between certain members of the party must have been damaged and I do not mean just the participants in the leadership contest itself.[3] Sir Menzies now has to pull his party together, face a reinvigorated Conservative Party and soon, a temporarily resurgent Labour administration led by a new leader. He might be able to manage two of these tasks, but the third will prove far more difficult. When not “getting even” against each other, members of his “shadow cabinet” will be plotting and scheming in readiness for the next Lib Dem leadership contest.