Clegg eyes victory as Huhne hopes for late surge

Team Clegg predict victory in leadership race

Thursday, 06, Dec 2007 12:00

Nick Clegg is now the odds-on favourite to be elected the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Clegg, currently the party's home affairs spokesman, was widely tipped to take the leadership when Menzies Campbell stepped down in October, with many touting him as the liberals' answer to David Cameron.

However, Chris Huhne, who holds the high-profile environment portfolio, has impressed commentators throughout his leadership campaign, with many speculating the 40-year-old Mr Clegg may have peaked too soon.

But the betting website Betfair has now shortened the odds on Mr Clegg winning the Lib Dem leadership race to 1/5 while Mr Huhne's odds lengthen to 9/2.

This follows the release of figures earlier this week suggesting Mr Clegg has won a majority of those votes already cast by the Lib Dem membership.

Richard Allan, Clegg's campaign director, said today: "As the campaign moves into the final stages, it is clear from these figures that momentum has continued to build behind Nick's campaign to be leader of the Liberal Democrats.

"His campaign continues to win enthusiastic support from members across the UK."

However, Huhne's campaign team claims the 53-year-old could still benefit from a late surge.

As of the start of this week, half of the 63,000-strong Lib Dem membership had not returned their ballot.

Mr Huhne's team point to third-party canvassing that suggests the undecided voters are now swinging behind the environment spokesman.

Based on a survey of 1,000 party members, 44.7 per cent said they were definitely backing Mr Huhne compared to 15.2 per cent guaranteeing support for Mr Clegg.

A further 5.3 per cent are leaning towards Mr Huhne and 1.5 per cent are inclined towards Mr Clegg.

Nearly one in five remained undecided while 14.4 per cent refused to say.

Anna Werrin, campaign manager at team Huhne, said: "These figures are fantastic and confirm what our own canvassing is showing - that the late votes really are coming Chris’s way.

"Of course many people will have voted early and Nick may have won the early votes. But no-one should assume there are any foregone conclusions; this is a leadership election which is going to go right down to the wire."

Mr Huhne's supporters think the last week has been "exceptional" for him, with the MP for Eastleigh jumping on the "donorgate" scandal.

The new Liberal Democrat leader will be announced on December 18th.