SIR Menzies Campbell is the narrow preference of all voters to become the next leader of the Liberal Democrats, according to today’s Sunday Times-YouGov poll. But among Lib Dem supporters alone, Simon Hughes is clearly ahead, writes David Smith.

The poll, of more than 1,600 people, carried out on Thursday and Friday, shows that the three candidates have yet to make a public impact, despite recent media exposure, including last week’s BBC television debate and surprise parliamentary by-election win in Dunfermline and West Fife.

Asked to choose between Campbell, Hughes and Christopher Huhne, 56% said “don’t know”. Even among Lib Dem supporters a third opted for don’t know.

Overall, Campbell was backed by 18%, Hughes by 16% and Huhne, the least-known of the contenders, by just 10%. Campbell, who is 64, is backed by older voters. Middle-aged and younger people are less enthusiastic.

Among Lib Dem supporters, Hughes, 54, the party president, is well ahead on 34%, followed by Campbell on 21% and Huhne, 13%.

The findings are a blow for Huhne, 51, a former Guardian journalist who has been an MP for only nine months. Polls of Lib Dem members have suggested that he has been the “dark horse”. However, today’s YouGov poll indicates that among the wider electorate, and Lib Dem supporters, he faces an uphill task to secure the leadership.

Election ballots were sent to the party’s 73,000 members last week. The ballot closes on March 1, and the result is expected to be declared the following day.

The election will be conducted using the single transferable vote system, under which members list preferences. The least popular candidate is eliminated on the first round and his preferences allocated to the two remaining contenders.

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