Jo congratulates Ming Campbell as new Lib Dem leader

3.27.07pm GMT Thu 2nd Mar 2006

Jo has backed Ming throughout the leadership contest

Jo Swinson MP has expressed her delight at Ming Campbell being elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The announcement of Ming as leader took place this afternoon, after a ballot of Liberal Democrat members gave him a 57% share of the vote.

Speaking after the announcement was made, Jo said:

"I am delighted that Ming Campbell has been elected as new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

"I have said from the start of the leadership campaign that Ming was the right person to lead this party, and I am pleased that the party membership as a whole has agreed.

"Ming has the credibility, the experience and the charisma to lead a united, forward-looking Liberal Democrat party.

"We are a party with great opportunities ahead of us. This weekend's Spring conference in Harrogate will give Ming the chance to set out how we are going to build on our recent success in Dunfermline and take the challenge to Tony Blair on the key issues of safeguarding civil liberties, tackling poverty and protecting the environment."

Two rounds of voting took place in he leadership contest:

In the first round Ming Campbell polled 23,264, Chris Huhne polled 16,691 and Simon Hughes 12,081.

Simon Hughes then dropped out and his votes were redistributed on second preference. The result in the final run-off was Ming Campbell 29,697; Chris Huhne 21,628.

The overall turnout was 72%.