LIBERAL Democrats in East Hampshire have said a new national leader will herald a fresh start for the party in parliament.

Tony Ludlow, leader of the Liberal Democrats in East Hampshire, spoke out after Mark Oaten, MP for Winchester, whose constituency includes Alresford, confirmed he would vie for the top job.

In a statement Mr Oaten, the party's home affairs spokesman, said: "The reason why I want to lead this party is to modernise it, in order to create a truly modern 21st century Liberal party, a popular party which people out there in the country can associate with, and which has popular policies they want to vote for.

"We need to do that by taking the very core values and principles, which we hold dear as Liberals and modernise them to make them relevant for today's voters.

"This contest is not just about modernising the party. But it is about the issue of whether it is left or right, or social economic or liberal economic.

"I believe that in fact those are the wrong phrases. We need now to merge those ideas together and create a modern Liberal party for the 21st century. "I am up for this challenge. I believe I have the energy and the vision to lead this party.

"You know it is 100 years since the Liberals were last in power. Frankly, that is not good enough. I am ambitious to get this party back into power again."

The leadership contest was called on Tuesday after Charles Kennedy resigned on Saturday January 7, two days after admitting he had a drink problem. Mr Kennedy said he had been "inundated" with support from party members since his admission, but he did not have strong enough support among MPs.

Both Mr Ludlow and Mr Oaten agreed that Mr Kennedy did the right thing by stepping down. But Mr Ludlow, a district and county councillor for Alton, is remaining tight-lipped about who he will be backing in the race.

"I'm not saying yet because I don't know who the other candidates will be," he said.

"I'm pleased that the process is going to end on March 2 and we will have a quick election, providing that the candidates have plenty of opportunity to put their views across and make it clear where they stand.

"This will be a fresh start. We are developing policy at the moment and clearly to have a new leader in place will be very helpful."

Party president Simon Hughes is expected to challenge for the leadership, but had not declared by the time The Herald went to press.

Lib Dem councillor for Bordon and Whitehill, Adam Carew said: "The speed and severity of events last weekend has astonished us all culminating with Charles Kennedy standing down with immediate effect as party leader.

"I think Charles did a fantastic job in improving Liberal Democrat fortunes.  When he was good he was very good but many of us have been concerned for some time that he had not been 'firing on all cylinders'.  

"I expected a leadership challenge at the end of this year if things didn't improve ,but not quite so soon and not in such a manner. 

"I had a call after Charles' surprise announcement on Friday telling me that he planned to stay on, but my personal view was that he could not continue after such an admission, despite public and party sympathy. 

"We owe Charles a great debt of gratitude but we must now look forward to new leadership elections.

"Sir Menzies Campbell is our new acting leader and is well respected. Mark Oaten has thrown his hat into the ring and it is expected that Simon Hughes will follow next week. I will be listening very carefully to what they have to say about the future direction of the party."

Nominations for Mr Kennedy's successor close on January 25. Ballot papers will be sent to members on February 6. Voting will close on March 1 and the result will be announced the following day.