Lib Dem leadership showdown: - 4-hours has been carved out in MPs' diaries for their meeting at 5pm today, to accommodate requests from more than 40 people to speak (and breaks in proceedings for votes). Roz Savage, as chair of the parliamentary party, will chair the meeting. - So far, I've counted 21 MPs who've explicitly - or at least appeared - to back Ed Davey. That leaves a *lot* still undeclared. The rebels need 18 (or 25% of MPs) to force a no-confidence vote. - Davey's critics are digging in - and hoping his performance tonight swings sceptics in their favour. They say even if he survives tonight, it's a matter of "when, not if" he goes. - Davey's allies accuse the rebels of "trying to create chaos at a pivotal moment, with the timing of the next general election up in the air". He has spoken to some MPs to encourage them to speak in support of him tonight. - Some MPs privately think Davey should go, but are divided over who should replace him - further splintering the rebels.

I’ve taken the decision not to stand as Lib Dem candidate in Edinburgh West at the next GE. It has been a fantastic decade. I want to thank @EdwardJDavey for all his support over the years. I’m confident our next chapter will be even more successful and I’m sad I won’t be there.