SAL BRINTON!
Many congratulations to her and well done to all three candidates for competing in an excellent campaign. This post will be updated with fuller details and reaction in due course.
Special thanks also to the staff and volunteers who have been counting in Liberal Democrat HQ since early this morning. It’s been a bit of a marathon with initial problems in getting the votes verified but they’ve all done a great job.
Results in full:
1st Round
Sal BRINTON: 7865
Daisy COOPER: 4530
Liz LYNNE: 4389
Spoilt Ballots: 25
Liz Lynne is eliminated in the first round
2nd Round
Sal BRINTON: 10,188
Daisy COOPER: 6,138
Ballots not transferred or spoilt: 458
Total Ballots Cast: 16,809
Overall Turnout: 38.9%
On her election, Sal said:
I am honoured to have been elected President by the members of the Liberal Democrats. Over recent months I have met thousands of Lib Dem members, all of whom agree on three things. Firstly, the Liberal Democrats need to be able to show the public the positive and beneficial things that we have done for people whilst in government, much of which would not have happened with a single party Conservative majority government. Secondly, the party is the only liberal and tolerant party around, and politics today needs that voice to be heard. Thirdly, our party processes and constitution are overdue for reform. This must be a priority after May 2015.
My role will be to represent the members, and make the changes that they want happen. My first priority will be to move the renowned campaign fighting ability of the Lib Dems into top gear, so that we win more seats in both Westminster and in councils across the UK in the General and Local Elections next year.
Tim Farron, the outgoing President, said:
I want to congratulate Sal on winning this election and becoming the next President of our party. Sal has helped and supported me throughout the last few years. She has the skills, experience and temperament that is needed to steer our party through the next stage. She is a wonderful parliamentarian, friend and will be a fantastic president for our party.
I want to commiserate with Daisy and Liz. They have both run campaigns which have done the party proud.
A wee touch of envy around from Tory commentator Tim Montgomerie
Jealous of LDs having election for their party president. Tory grassroots deserve democracy too. Someone to think of long-term party health.
— Tim Montgomerie ن (@montie) November 29, 2014
