The borough's two Liberal Democrat MPs have refused to rule out the possibility of running for the leadership of the party in the wake of Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation last night.

Vincent Cable, MP for Twickenham, and Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, said they were surprised Sir Menzies had resigned and hadn't decided whether to stand in the race to be his successor.

Dr Cable said: "Like a lot of people I'm not ruling anything out, I haven't been actively planning but it would be foolish to rule out all the options."

Ms Kramer said she was not 'ruling in or ruling out' a bid for the leadership and had not had a chance to think about the possibility yet or consider her options.

Dr Cable, who has taken over as interim leader after being deputy leader since March 2006, said there was no warning the announcement was coming and he thought Sir Menzies was broadly doing a good job in difficult circumstances.

He said he planned to use his spell as acting leader, which will conclude on December 17 when the new Liberal Democrat party chief is announced, in a productive way.

"Hopefully I will set a new direction for the party but I'm there on an interim basis and have to respect someone may well come in after but I want to give the party leadership.

"There are different currents running through the party about generations of people and I don't know whether that will be a factor.

"I am just listening at the moment."

Ms Kramer added: "I have enormous regard for Vince. I think he would make a brilliant leader."