Nicholas Farrell: Withdraw from the Democratic Alliance Federal Leadership Election 

Due to a number of reasons I will no longer be running a liberal protest candidacy against Helen Zille (see earlier M&G report). 

After much thought I believe that it is no longer in the best interest of the Democratic Alliance to formally put my name forward and accept nominations to run for leader of the party. 

I will no longer be standing for the leadership for the following reasons. 

The sole goal of my candidacy was to start a debate about leadership and democracy within the party; I believe that this debate has begun.  

I have been overwhelmed by activists and members from all over the country who have contacted me, wanting to talk about the issues that I have wanted to bring attention to. 

I have no doubt that after our May congress we will have a stronger alliance, a more united alliance and a more democratic alliance. Due to this debate that has been created. 

I am strongly encouraged to see that many young people and liberal leaders are running for national and provincial leadership positions and feel that they will be able to fight for youth issues as well as liberal issues within the party. 

Once I had decided that I would no longer be standing for the leadership I had an open and frank talk with Premier Zille.    

Speaking to Zille on numerous liberal issues the party has been reluctant to champion I was pleased with her admission that as a party we still had some way to go on certain liberal issues. I was also surprised to have her acknowledge my campaign as "spunky". We spoke about a wide range of liberal issues including the death penalty, a woman's right to choose, freedom of the press and the current situation in Palestine.

I believe that by withdrawing Zille now has an opportunity to unite the party ahead of the 2016 local government elections and trust that she will. 

This campaign was not about me, nor Helen Zille. This campaign was about drawing attention to serious issues that we face as a party and standing up for liberal issues. 

Even though I have withdrawn I will still speak out when I see wrong in our party and will still seek to hold our leadership to account. I will always stand up for liberalism.  

Nicholas Farrell 

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