Sir Vince Cable will set down as the leader of the Lib Dems in May, it has been revealed.
In a statement on Thursday night, the 75-year-old said a leadership contest for his role would begin in May, unless there was a general election.
Cable, who became the leader of the party for a second time in July 2017, said he had inherited the role “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.”
Describing the future as “uncertain”, Cable said there was “still a real chance of securing a People’s Vote and, indeed, of stopping Brexit”, despite “Labour’s continued prevarication”.
Deputy Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson sajd Cable had been “a voice of reason in unreasonable times”.
“He has led the party with calm authority in our campaign for a People’s Vote and has laid the foundations for us to build on as we fight not only against Brexit but for a brighter future for our country,” she tweeted.
Meanwhile, MP Layla Moran – thought to be another front-runner in the race for leader – thanked Cable “for your service to the party and Brexit”.