UK’s battered Liberal Democrats elect new leader: Tim Farron

Tim Farron was yesterday elected to lead the Liberal Democrats, replacing former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg following the party’s electoral wipe-out in May’s General Election.

Farron triumphed by a margin of 56.5% votes by Lid Dem members to 43.5%.

After being reduced from 57 MPs in 2010 to just eight in 2015 – numbers reminiscent of the Liberal Party of the 1950s – the Lib Dems now face a hard path back to political significance, let alone power.

The proposed European Union referendum will, however offer the Liberal Democrats – the most Europhile party in British politics – a platform and an opportunity, given that the Conservatives and Labour will have to cope with far more internal divisions on the issue. “I know Tim will do us proud”.

However, instead of focusing on his plans for future party policy and strategy, Britain’s left-wing media has been obsessing about the fact Farron is – shock horror – a practising Christian.

When asked how he would juggle his late night work commitments and council meetings he said: “I know what I am getting myself in for”.

Mr Farron Tweeted to his 31,852 followers: “Thank you!”

“There are real challenges ahead but we have shown in Westmorland how we can succeed and we want to make a difference for people all over the country”. But last month, Lamb suspended two members of his campaign team when they were found to have privately polled party members about what Lamb’s aides considered to be Farron’s illiberal voting record on abortion and LGBT rights.

Mr Farron dismissed the Chancellor’s Budget promise of a £7.20-an-hour National Living Wage – rising to £9 by 2020 – saying: “Just because you call something a living wage, doesn’t mean it is one”.

Nicholas da Costa, an events manager who backed Norman Lamb in the leadership contest, said the party is entering “a very exciting time”.

The party announced the leadership result on Twitter and Facebook.

The Lib Dems’ only Welsh MP, Mark Williams, had also backed Mr Farron to be the party’s new leader.

“Let me be crystal clear what the Liberal Democrats are for – we are the party that sees the best in people not the worst”.