That reopened the battle in Yokohama, with CDT staff counsel Alan Davidson and Common Cause general counsel Don Simon lobbying meeting participants, board members and anyone else who would listen to their pitch to oppose the staff plan.

CNN: Group overseeing Internet changes sets its election rules

Treasury spokesman Malcolm Bruce has the backing of three, while Simon Hughes, Don Foster, David Rendel and Jackie Ballard have just two MPs each to act as proposer and seconder.

BBC: News | UK Politics | Lib Dem contenders compete for MPs' support

Almost all of the Lib Dems' 46 MPs, including Mr Ashdown, and many peers crowded into a Commons committee room to hear addresses from the six challengers - Charles Kennedy, SImon Hughes, Jackie Ballard, Don Foster, Malcolm Bruce and David Rendel.

BBC: News | UK Politics | Lib Dem contenders compete for MPs' support

Simon also helps international students who don't yet have jobs to land short-term consulting engagements in the U.S. The thinking is it will tide them over for a few months after graduation and allow them to continue hunting for a more permanent U.S.-based position.

WSJ: For Hire: Foreign Business Students

Ms. SIMON: (Singing) You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers.

NPR: Carly Simon's 'Never Been Gone'

But local property developer Simon Morris and Duncan Revie, son of former manager Don, have lodged an interest.

BBC: Bates is in the driving seat to stay in charge at Elland Road

This morning Simon Hughes made explicit the thus far implied threat that if his party don't get Lords reform they will vote against the boundary changes which offer the Tories the prospect of a dozen or more MPs at the next election.

BBC: Lords reform: Now it's handbags