Could the 69 year old be serious?

Five years ago when Ming Campbell decided to step down as Lib Dem leader Vince didn’t put his name forward because he and others thought that his age would be against him.

He’s now 69 and his FT interview this morning has set off a buzz that he might indeed be considering such a possibility.

His response when the question was put was that he “wouldn’t exclude it” which is further than anything he has said publicly before.

I’ve little doubt that if he put his name forward then he’d come top of the ballot

Given the need to for the Lib Dems to win over Labour tactical votes in the CON-LD battle-grounds then a Cable leadership could make an electoral difference. So many of the Tory targets are held by the yellows that the last thing the blues want is for their task to be harder.

The big question mark is whether there will be an early vacancy. On that score I’m not sure. I think Clegg is there for the duration.

PaddyPower have Cable at 10/1 to be leader at the next election.

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB