Sir Vince Cable is set to become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, with an announcement due to be made later today.
The 74-year-old MP for Twickenham will stand unopposed, as all other possible contenders for the position have ruled themselves out of the running.
Nominations close at 4pm today.
Credit: PA
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The new leadership contest came after Tim Farron quit the party shortly after the snap general election. He cited being unable to reconcile his Christian faith with the demands of leading a 'progressive, liberal' party as his reason for stepping down from the position.
In a statement made at the time, Mr Farron said: "I seem to be the subject of suspicion because of what I believe and who my faith is in.
"In which case we are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society. That's why I have chosen to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrats."
Mr Farron added: "Journalists have every right to ask what they see fit. The consequences of the focus on my faith is that I have found myself torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader.
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"A better, wiser person than me may have been able to deal with this more successfully, to have remained faithful to Christ while leading a political party in the current environment."
Former leader Tim Farron greets Sir Vince Cable during this year's election campaign. Credit: PA
Cable, who was a Labour councillor in the 1970s, has said that he believes that Brexit is not inevitable and that he will work to ensure that voters get the final say in the deal.
The veteran politician has also pledged to make the Lib Dems the second biggest party in Britain and become larger than the Tories.
The Lib Dems had 101,000 members at the end of May, putting them behind the Tories - who last year said they had 134,000 members, down from 253,600 in 2005.
A spokesman for Sir Vince said the party's membership was 'at its highest since its formation'.
He added: "Vince has huge ambitions. Since the general election there has been serious growth in party membership.
"Having more members than the Conservative party is a realistic target, which Vince hopes to achieve soon."
Other possible candidates, including Jo Swinson and former cabinet minister Ed Davey, all ruled themselves out. Sir Vince Cable is set to be the only name on the ballot paper when nominations close later today.
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Source: BBC