The final Liberal Democrats Leadership Hustings, and a decision!

8.29.00am GMT Thu 6th Dec 2007

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne

Last night I attended the last hustings in the Liberal Democrats Leadership elections (which was rather odd as I also attended the first). The hustings had been organised by the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats and Birmingham Hodge Hill Liberal Democrats. I am sure both candidates were happy to finally be finishing this mammoth campaign!

Each spoke for ten minutes and then we had a selection of questions, ranging from Trident to the NHS to internal Liberal Democrat organisation and campaigns and of course party funding. Chris spoke well again and Nick has certainly improved since Rugby overall I would call it a draw on the speeches, maybe Chris had it by a whisker. On the questions both again were good, one of the problems when both candidates agree so much is that whoever was second had little to add, I think Nick gave better answers and also seemed to engage more with questions and the audience.

I going into the hustings wanting two issues clarified, Chris on Trident replacement and Nick of the NHS and particularly privatisation. Both were addressed and it is on those clarifications I have decided how to vote.

On Trident Nick is clear he will not unilaterally disarm wanting to go into the 2010 talks with a bargaining position, as you may well know I disagree with this - I am a unilateralist - however at least I know where Nick stands. Chris clarified his position a little more, he would not renew Trident but would consider having a nuclear deterrent if needed - there remains questions about the point of this, the cost of this and even the legality of this.

On the NHS Chris is clear, it was Nick that had been less so. However Nick clarified his position and reassured the audience he was in favour of the NHS remaining free at the point of use.

On these two clarifications I have today voted for Nick Clegg for Leader of the Liberal Democrats.