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Kramer and Cable out of Lib Dem running
Susan Kramer and Vince Cable have ruled themselves out of the Liberal Democrat leadership race, while Charles Kennedy has said his return is "highly unlikely".
Lib Dem transport spokesman Kramer had been tipped as a likely female contender in the race to replace Sir Menzies Campbell.
But in an interview with ePolitix.com, she said that while she thought women needed to be more fully represented in politics, she did not want to challenge for the job out of "obligation".
Kramer told this website: "I've decided that the job of leader is not for me.
"I love being constituency MP, I've always got a kick out of it. But I have two young grandchildren, they're such a joy, I'm not willing to give that up.
"Luckily there are people with enormous talent in our party, a whole range of them, so they'll make good party leaders. I shall continue to enjoy my constituency and enjoy my grandchildren."
On the fact that the two favourites, Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, were white middle class men, she added: "I think frankly if you look at all the leading names in British politics they all fall pretty much into the same category. From all of the three parties - they're all white, they're all male. That has to change.
"I think women like me sometimes feel this obligation to try and do something that perhaps we wouldn't choose to do just to try and provide part of the balance. But there's a point at which you just have to say 'life is too short'."
Earlier Lib Dem deputy and acting leader Cable announced his decision not to stand.
The respected Lib Dem Treasury spokesman had initially refused to rule himself out of the leadership race, insisting his age of 64 would not have been a handicap.
However on Wednesday he revealed that he had come to the conclusion that an older candidate was not electable because of the "irrational prejudice" shown towards Sir Menzies over his age.
Meanwhile former Lib Dem leader Kennedy also told BBC2's Daily Politics that he was not likely to run.
"I think it's highly unlikely, to be honest," he said. "You should never say never in politics, but as close to never as you can get."
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