Vince Cable appoints new Chief of Staff

Following the news that the interim Chief Executive at Lib Dem HQ is Nick Harvey comes news of two key appointments to Vince Cable’s team:

Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said:

As an MP, Sarah showed the very best of our party as a strong voice and a clear thinker.

Sarah will head up my Leader’s team, bringing her experience to bear and helping the Liberal Democrats make the biggest possible impact in the centre of British politics.

I am looking forward to working closely with her and Mark as we and the whole party articulate the case for an exit from Brexit and a grown-up approach to the UK economy.

Newly appointed Chief of Staff Sarah Olney said:

In five months in Parliament, I saw what an impact the Liberal Democrats make at Westminster.

I am delighted to be able to help Vince Cable and the whole team make a difference as Chief of Staff to the Leader.

I am looking forward to working with Nick Harvey and the strong team of staff we have at Liberal Democrat HQ to take our party’s fortunes from strength to strength.

Sarah Olney, winner of the Richmond Park by-election, succeeds Ben Williams who was Chief of Staff under Tim Farron and continued in post over the summer to ensure a smooth transfer. Over the years in both that role and previous work as special adviser and in whips team Ben has had a succession of roles which typically go little noticed by the wider party membership but are crucial for the party’s success.

Sarah Olney is stepping down as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Richmond Park following the appointment.

Mark Leftly, former Deputy Political Editor at the Independent on Sunday, is the new Leader’s Press Secretary. He takes over from Paul Butters who was widely praised across the media for his skill as Tim Farron’s Press Secretary.

Thank you Ben and Paul and best of luck for whatever comes next.