Exeter welcomes Nick Clegg as Liberal Democrat leader (Exeter Liberal Democrats)

Exeter Liberal Democrats <info@exeterlibdems.org.uk>

Exeter welcomes Nick Clegg as Liberal Democrat leader

December 19, 2007 12:32 PM

Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg [Photo credit: Alex Folkes / Fishnik.com] Exeter Lib Dems Graham Oakes and Adrian Fullam have welcomed the election of Nick Clegg as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. Nick Clegg was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats on 18 December 2007.

Nick Clegg 20,988
Chris Huhne 20,477

On his election Nick said:

"I want to thank the Liberal Democrats for giving me the chance to lead our great party. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy and Ming Campbell, who have all contributed so much to our party. I look forward to working with them all during my leadership.

"I would also like to pay tribute to both Vince Cable and Chris Huhne. Vince has been an inspiration as stand-in leader with both his forensic questioning and his memorable put downs. Chris and I saw a lot of each other during the leadership contest. Now we will be working together as close colleagues to ensure that our party goes on to further electoral success. I am delighted that both Vince and Chris are going to be part of my top team over the coming years.

"We have a golden opportunity for our party. Gordon Brown presides over an increasingly stale, incompetent, and desperate government. David Cameron and the Tories don't know what they stand for any more.

"We know what we stand for: a more Liberal Britain. I am confident that with hard work and dedication we can turn our beliefs into reality and change our country for the better.

"Under my leadership our party will be a self-confident, radical, and energetic party. Together we can break the stifling two-party system and change Britain for good. That is my aim. I hope you will join me in making it a reality."

Chris Huhne said:

"We've elected a leader who is going to take us from strength to strength. Good luck Nick, congratulations and God's speed. It was a hugely close contest, and working together as a Party, we have every right to be optimist for the future - Britain's liberal future."

Graham Oakes, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Exeter, said: "It's nice to have a leader younger than me and he's very committed to the same liberal values that brought me to the party.

"We're in the strongest position we've ever been and we're feeling very confident. We're very well placed, and the natural challengers to Labour, with all the Government cock-ups and issues the people of Exeter don't like. Ben Bradshaw is losing votes hand over fist."

He said he thought Mr Clegg would make a better prime minister than Gordon Brown.

"Nick is a progressive left-of-centre politician who will challenge the establishment in a way David Cameron won't," he added.

Adrian Fullam, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Exeter City Council, said he thought Mr Clegg would be a great asset who would attract younger voters and people back to the party.

He said: "Nick is the ideal person to take us forward. He has an urgency which contrasts with Gordon Brown, who has had his day. David Cameron has met his match."