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Twickenham MP, Vince Cable, has stepped down as deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats after four years in the role. In an  interview Mr. Cable stated that "it is a personal decision".  He says that his appointment to the role of Business Secretary in the new coalition government would not allow him the freedom necessary to travel the country in the role of Deputy Leader.

The Business Secretary role is certainly a far-reaching one, encompassing as it does business, trade and science. Mr. Cable wrote to Leader Nick Clegg saying he wished to "focus wholeheartedly" on his Cabinet role.

Simon Hughes was elected as his replacement on June 9th. Mr Hughes said that his party will vote for the Budget  but in an answer in the House of Commons, Hughes stated that "where we could improve fairness and make for a fairer Britain", his party would bring forward amendments to do so.

There is a feeling in the Lib Dem camp , that Nick Clegg and the leadership have moved too far to the right in supporting the "progressive" budget although a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats has denied that there is any division in the party.