has today been elected as the new leader of the Liberal
Democrats.
The MP for Kingston and Surbiton, won the leadership election
this morning, receiving 42,756 votes.
In his acceptance speech he announced his plans to begin
rebuilding the party to national relevance and launched a
national listening project, stating that for the Party "it is
time to start listening".
Speaking at the declaration today, Leader of the Liberal
Democrats said:
"I’m determined our Party backs a Britain that works with other
countries across the world for peace and prosperity. But it is my
love of our party that makes me recognise that we have to
change.
"We have to wake up and smell the coffee. Nationally, our party
has lost touch with too many voters.
"Yes, we are powerful advocates locally. Our campaigners listen
to local people, work hard for communities and deliver
results.
"But at the national level, we have to face the facts of three
disappointing general election results.
"Nationally, voters have been sending us a message. But we have
not been listening.
"It is time for us to start listening. As leader I am telling
you: I have got that message. I am listening now."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
42,756 votes
24,564
votes
57.6 % turnout
The full speech is as follows - check against
delivery
I’d like to start by thanking my friend . Layla,
you fought a passionate campaign, full of energy.
Since becoming an MP, you have inspired so many people,
particularly young people. Your future is bright and I look
forward to you playing a big role in my team.
To members of the Liberal Democrats, thank you for putting your
faith in me and giving me the honour of leading a party I joined
30 years ago.
And I want also to thank a whole host of people who’ve run this
campaign – whether in party headquarters alongside the Returning
Officer, or in my own amazing campaign team.
The thousands of people who’ve volunteered time to campaign with
me. Who’ve donated to my campaign. Who’ve championed our vision
of a greener, fairer, more caring society.
I’d particularly like to thank Claire Halliwell, my Campaign
Manager. Claire, you’ve been fantastic.
And of course Emily, my wife and our two beautiful children, John
and Ellie. Thank you Emily for your amazing support, patience and
love.
I am sure I am speaking for many people when I say that - for all
the stress and uncertainty of the last few months - one positive
has been the chance to spend more time with our families. And so
I’d like to thank Ellie in particular, for appearing as a
surprise cameo in so many of my zoom calls and online
hustings.
I want to talk now about the future of the Liberal Democrats.
I joined this party 30 years ago. I met Emily here. I have made
so many good friends here.
And with those friends, I have campaigned across our country,
knocking on tens of thousands of doors, delivering hundreds of
thousands of leaflets.
The reason I have done all this is simple.
I love our party.
I believe in it.
I stand for all the things the Liberal Democrats stand for:
Social justice, political reform, equality and protecting our
environment.
I stand for fairness and for fighting to protect the rights of
ordinary people.
I’m determined our Party backs a Britain that works with other
countries across the world for peace and prosperity.
BUT - it is my love of our party that makes me recognise that we
have to change.
We have to wake up and smell the coffee.
Nationally, our party has lost touch with too many voters.
Yes, we are powerful advocates locally.
Our campaigners listen to local people, work hard for communities
and deliver results.
But at the national level, we have to face the facts of three
disappointing general election results.
The truth is...
Voters don't believe that the Liberal Democrats want to help
ordinary people get on in life.
Voters don't believe we share their values.
And voters don't believe we are on the side of people like
them.
Nationally, voters have been sending us a message.
But we have not been listening. It is time for us to start
listening.
As leader I am telling you: I have got that message. I am
listening now.
Whether you're from the North, South, or somewhere in between
Whether you voted for Brexit or Remain, or just wanted the whole
thing settled
Whether you voted Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP or
Plaid
My message for you is this:
I will travel up and down our country to meet you.
To hear about the things that matter most to you.
Your problems and fears, your hopes and dreams.
I will face up to uncomfortable truths.
And I will make your concerns my own.
Our country is going through one of the most extraordinary and
difficult periods for generations.
The challenge of Covid will affect our country and the world for
decades to come.
Millions of people are suffering.
As Leader of the Liberal Democrats, I want to reach out to help
you and your community get through this.
Whether your concerns are your families’ health, your children’s
education or your livelihood.
I want to understand the new future you want after all this - and
help to deliver it.
So my job from today is to rebuild the Liberal Democrats to
national relevance so we can deliver this future for you, for
your family and for the people who need it the most.
None of this is going to be easy.
None of this is going to be straightforward.
And none of it is going to be quick or simple to achieve.
But I want the Liberal Democrats to represent the whole country,
not just some people, and to stand for fairness and opportunity
for all.
That is my commitment to you as the new leader of the Liberal
Democrats.
The hard work starts today.
