| Election Name: | 2010 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2006 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election |
| Previous Year: | 2006 |
| Next Election: | 2014 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
| Election Date: | 9 June 2010 |
| Image1: | Simon Hughes MP Liverpool cropped.jpg |
| Image1 Size: | 160x160px |
| Candidate1: | Simon Hughes |
| Colour1: | <-- FAA61A --> |
| Popular Vote1: | 38 |
| Percentage1: | 67.9% |
| Image2 Size: | 160x160px |
| Candidate2: | Tim Farron |
| Popular Vote2: | 18 |
| Percentage2: | 32.1% |
| Deputy Leader | |
| Before Election: | Vince Cable |
| After Election: | Simon Hughes |
The 2010 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election began on 26 May 2010, when the sitting Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, announced his resignation following his appointment as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.[1] Nominations closed on 2 June, and the balloting took place on 9 June.[2] The election was won by Simon Hughes.
Hughes was, from the start, reportedly leading in the election,[5] having reportedly secured the support of at least 29 Lib Dem MPs.[6] Not all MPs publicly declared their support for either candidate; of those Farron had the support of 11 and Hughes 21.[7] Both candidates were former members of the Lib Dem Front Bench, but neither received a position in the coalition government.
| Only ballot: 9 June 2010[8] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Simon Hughes | 38 | 67.9 | ||
| Tim Farron | 18 | 32.1 | ||
| Turnout | 56 | 98.2 | ||
| Simon Hughes elected | ||||