The Liberal Democrats have suspended their management contest for a 12 months as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
The social gathering had been as a result of elect a successor to Jo Swinson in July. The competition will now start in Could 2021.
MP Sir Ed Davey and social gathering president Mark Pack will stay as appearing leaders within the meantime.
Mr Pack mentioned the choice was within the nationwide curiosity, with the UK dealing with probably its “greatest disaster since 1945”.
The social gathering has been and not using a everlasting chief since Ms Swinson misplaced her seat in December’s election.
Potential contenders to succeed her included Sir Ed, the previous cupboard minister who was runner-up within the social gathering’s final management election, and MPs Layla Moran, Christine Jardine and Daisy Cooper.
The Liberal Democrats’ Federal Board took the choice to postpone the competition on Thursday in order that the social gathering might focus solely on the present disaster.
Mr Pack mentioned the choice to delay by a 12 months took into consideration a attainable second wave of infections subsequent winter and the nation having to stay in a digital lockdown.
The brand new date, he mentioned, would additionally keep away from a conflict with English native and mayoral elections, which had been as a result of happen in Could however which have been put again a 12 months. The results of the management contest shall be introduced in the summertime of 2021.
“All through our historical past, now we have all the time put the nationwide curiosity first,” Mr Pack wrote. “We all know that coronavirus could have many implications for our society, public providers, financial system and day-to-day lives.
“It can even have essential implications for a way we function as a political social gathering.
“Specifically, even when present lockdown restrictions are relaxed, we nonetheless be dwelling in a world the place for months, if not years, to come back it’s attainable lockdowns must be reintroduced at brief discover.
“That threat will grasp over us all till now we have a vaccine or efficient and widespread remedy.”