A timetable was set at a meeting of the party's governing body, the
Federal Board, on 18 January 2020. Nominations were due to open on 11 May, after the
local elections which were due to be held on 7 May 2020, and close on 28 May; voting would begin on 18 June and close on 15 July.
[9] The timetable allowed time for a review of the party's performance in the 2019 general election.
[10]In March 2020, the election was postponed to May 2021, after the local elections which had been postponed to that month due to the
coronavirus pandemic.
[11] Reaction to this decision was largely negative amongst the party membership. The party's Federal Appeals Panel found that, although the Federal Board was correct to suspend the election, it did not have power to set the May 2021 date. The panel directed the board to keep the suspension under continuous review until "the exceptional circumstances that exist at present cease".
[12] On 20 May 2020, the party announced that the Federal Board had reversed their decision to delay the election until 2021. Voting would take place between 30 July and 26 August so a new leader would be in place for the party's autumn conference.
[13][14]
Liberal Democrat leadership elections use the
alternative vote (instant run-off) system, with all party members being entitled to vote under a
one member, one vote method.
[15] Candidates must be an MP, and must be nominated by at least one other Liberal Democrat MP. Proposed candidates must also have 200 supporters across 20 or more local parties, including the
Young Liberals.
[16]
