Sir Menzies wins in Hereford

9.21.49am GMT Thu 2nd Feb 2006

Sir Menzies Campbell campaigning in Birmingham during the General Election

According to the Paul Keetch MP website www.paulkeetch.org.uk Sir Menzies Campbell came out as the favourite in a party ballot to succeed Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrats at a recent Hereford Liberal Democrat gathering.

Chaired by Paul Keetch MP and attended by over 50 local party members the poll clearly put Sir Ming, rather than Simon Hughes and newcomer Chris Huhne as the favourite. Commenting following the meeting, Paul Keetch said "I am not surprised by this result - Ming is the natural choice as a successor to Charles. At the next election he will provide an experienced, serious and credible alternative to David Cameron and Gordon Brown and for this reason I will support him, and I hope others will follow suit."

On my own (completely unscientific) poll on my website it looks neck and neck between Sir Menzies Campbell and Chris Huhne with Simon Hughes trailing in a poor third.