The leadership candidates have sent their third official emails. You can read the first three here,  here and here.

First of all, the Returning Officer’s information including what to do if you haven’t received your ballot:

Below are the top lines and links in the fourth of four emails from the candidates that I am distributing on their behalf.  I do this in my role as the Acting Returning Officer for this election.

Also please find below contact details for how you can find out more about each of the candidates.

Ballot have already been dispatched so you should receive your ballot paper by post in the next day or so if you haven’t received it already.   If you have not received your ballot paper by Thursday 2nd July please go to  http://www.libdems.org.uk/replacement-ballot-paper to request a replacement.  With your ballot there will also be a copy of both candidates’ manifestos.

Our ballot counters must receive your complete ballot paper by 2pm on July 15th for it to count.

Many thanks for participating in this important election.

Regards,

TimGordon
Chief Executive & Acting Returning Officer
Liberal Democrats

PS Replacement ballot papers are issued on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Returning Officer.

Tim Farron’s Email

Tim to win

We won’t change anything from second place. To make Britain more liberal – from human rights to housing, the environment to the economy – we need to win.

Our next three major electoral tests are in London, Scotland and Wales. As leading politicians in these areas we are urging Liberal Democrats who want to win to support Tim Farron.

Tim is an outstanding campaigner with an ability, unique in our party, to connect with ordinary voters.  We are convinced Tim is the right man to help us to victory.

Willie Rennie MSP, Kirsty Williams AM and Stephen Knight AM

Campaign update

As ballots go out across the country all the evidence suggests more and more Liberal Democrats members are turning to Tim Farron to be our next leader.

Every day another senior party member declares their support for Tim. Since our last email, they include: the first speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and former leader of the Alliance Party, Lord Alderdice; one of the party’s first two MEPs, Lord Teverson; former DEFRA Minister, Dan Rogerson and former Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd.

The momentum for Tim is underlined by a Yougov poll published last week showing him leading by 3 to 1 amongst party members. The poll mirrors one by Lib Dem Voice at the beginning of the campaign. Perhaps more significant, however, was the poll taken at the end of Victoria Derbyshire’s televised leadership candidates’ debate which showed Tim winning over the vast majority of the audience by the end of the show.

Campaign Director, Ben Rich, says:

“Tim’s victory on the Victoria Derbyshire show is the most significant yet, reinforcing that Tim is the man best placed to connect with ordinary voters and win them back to our cause.

“We still have a long way to go but as we enter the second phase of the campaign we are in good shape and I firmly believe – if we keep working in true Tim style – we will keep winning too.”

Tim Talks

In this video Tim explains his views on asylum and immigration

It is also important that we as a Party connect with business and are seen as the rational voice of aspiration. A liberal, free-trade, internationalist alternative to conservatism which encompasses the desire for equality of opportunity in a way the Conservatives never can, will or even want to! In my opinion Tim Farron grasps this and has the ability to communicate that crucial vision clearly and with passion, which is why I am supporting him as our new Leader.
Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne 2010-2015

We have a hell of a mountain to climb at the moment. It’s going to take a lot of work. It’s going to take a leader who’s zingy, persistent, gutsy, noisy and awkward who can articulate a liberalism that’s relevant, practical, optimistic and joyful. Tim Farron fits that bill as close to perfectly as it gets.
Caron Lindsay, Lib Dem blogger

Changed times call for different qualities in a party leader. Tim’s irrepressible, eloquent enthusiasm can make him the man for the time. Tim Farron can be the David we need, to face the Goliaths of the other party machines and 5 Giants of Beveridge and the historic liberalism.
Lord Alderdice, First Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and now Lib Dem Northern Ireland Spokesperson in the House of Lords

To volunteer to support Tim’s campaign please click here.

Tim’s campaign has produced a magazine for all members setting out his plans for the leadership. If you have not received a copy please email [email protected] or you can view a copy online.

An article in the magazine about Tim’s commitment to Human Rights is accompanied by a photo of last month’s human rights rally, which also features Baroness Brinton amongst others. As Party President, Baroness Brinton is of course completely neutral in the leadership election and the use of the photo should not be taken to imply an endorsement by her or any one else shown. We are happy to make this clear.

Norman Lamb’s Email

Paddy Ashdown backs Norman Lamb

This week Paddy Ashdown announced he’s joining dozens of former MPs including Shirley Williams, Lynne Featherstone and Julian Huppert in backing Norman Lamb to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Norman’s message to the party is clear: we can build a progressive, liberal movement of change in this country. To do that we must reach out to the millions of people who share our liberal values but do not currently identify themselves as Liberal Democrats.

Norman has spent the leadership campaign travelling the length and breadth of the country talking to members and appearing at hustings. With every event more and more people say they’re backing Norman as the leader with the vision to bring new people to our cause.

Norman in the media

Listen to Norman take on Nigel Farage and win the audience over on BBC Any Questionsrecorded last Friday. “A Champion of liberalism” – read the Independent newspaper’s endorsement of Norman Lamb. Read the New Statesman interview with Norman.

Norman sets out his vision for the party

Norman has set out his philosophy and vision for the party in a new book, which is available to download here. Watch Norman discuss his vision with fellow Liberal Democrat members:

Norman Lamb: Building a progressive, liberal movement of change

NormanLambLibDem

@normanlamb

[email protected]