I have this evening sent the following letter to my colleagues and friends in the Liberal Democrat group on Cambridgeshire County Council.

“Dear Colleagues,

Nearly nine months ago, to my absolute delight, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha was elected to the European Parliament. At that time, no-one knew how long Britain was to remain a member of the European Union. Despite this uncertainty, Lucy resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Cambridgeshire County Council in order to concentrate on her work in Brussels, and I put my name forward as her temporary replacement, to hold the fort in her absence.

I had hoped—and I know Lucy will take this in totally the right way—that her time in Brussels would be a long one, both for her sake and for the sake of our country. Sadly, that was not to be, and Lucy’s role as an MEP ends tonight. I want to thank Lucy enormously for her hard work on our behalf as one of our elected politicians in the European Parliament. Britain will be the poorer without politicians of Lucy’s calibre representing us at a European level.

It has never been my intention to supplant Lucy as leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Cambridgeshire County Council. I am not driven by any personal ambition, though I am deeply ambitious for my community, my county, my country, and therefore my party.

I am therefore submitting my resignation as leader of the Liberal Democrat group, in order to enable a leadership election to take place on Friday 7 February.

Cllr David Jenkins, who has served so ably as my deputy leader, will continue to hold that post to provide continuity. I have greatly enjoyed working with David as the Liberal Democrat group leadership team on Cambridgeshire County Council, and am hugely grateful to him for his support, encouragement and guidance.

Finally, thank you all for the opportunity you have given me, of serving as your group leader for the last nine months. It has been an honour and a privilege, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all in that capacity.

With all good wishes,

Lorna”