LIBERAL Democrats in East Hampshire have said a new national leader would herald a fresh start for the party in Parliament. Tony Ludlow, leader of the Liberal Democrats in East Hampshire, and Ruth Bright, the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for East Hampshire in the last election, spoke out after Mark Oaten, MP for Winchester, confirmed he would enter the contest 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, to create a truly modern 21st century Liberal party, a popular party which people out there in the country can associate with, with popular policies they want to vote for. "We need to do that by taking the very core values and principles which we hold dear to as Liberals and modernise them and 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. The leadership contest was called on Tuesday after Charles Kennedy resigned on Saturday, 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 Mrs Bright agreed Mr Kennedy did the right thing by stepping down. "I think it had reached the stage where it was unavoidable," Mr Ludlow said. 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. Party president Simon Hughes is expected to challenge for the leadership, but had not declared by the time The Herald went to press. If he stands, Mrs Bright said, she would be backing him. "I have worked with Simon in the past. He has retained his own seat in quite difficult circumstances in seven general elections," she said. "I think he has got the experience to do the job. For me, it would be a positive vote for Simon and his qualities. I think it is great that there is going to be a contest." Nominations for Mr Kennedy's successor close on January 25. Ballot papers will be sent out to members on February 6. Voting will close on March 1 and the result will be announced the following day.
