Sir Ed Davey wins leadership of Liberal Democrats

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Sir Ed Davey has won the race to become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The acting leader will now take over on a permanent basis after defeating his rival, fellow MP Layla Moran.

Sir Ed received 63.5% of the vote, compared to 36.5% for Mrs Moran.

At an event in London, Sir Ed said it was time for the party to “wake up and smell the coffee” after securing only 12% of the vote in the last general election.

In an email to party members, he said he would launch a “national hearing project” to make the Lib Dems “relevant” again, adding: “We will not be able to do this unless we show people that we share their values. and are on their side. “

The result comes eight months after former Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson stepped down after losing her seat in the 2019 general election.

Mrs Moran congratulated her opponent on Twitter and said: “I look forward to working with him for a better future for Britain.”

Sir Ed has been a member of the Liberal Democrats for 30 years, and acting leader since Mrs Swinson left the post in December.

He was elected to parliament in 1997, but lost his seat in Kingston and Surbiton in 2015 after his tenure as cabinet minister in the coalition government.

In the 2017 snap elections, Sir Ed returned to parliament for the same constituency and will now lead the party’s 11 MPs and a wider membership.

‘Time to start listening’

In his victory speech, the new leader spoke about the task ahead, with the party achieving only one-figure support in the latest opinion polls.

“Nationally, our party has lost contact with too many voters,” he said. “Yes, we are locally empowered lawyers. Our campaigner listens to local people, works hard for communities and delivers results.

“But at the national level. We have to confront the facts of three disappointing results for general elections.”

He added: “The truth is that voters do not believe that the Liberal Democrats want to help ordinary people by going through life.

“It’s time we started listening. And as a leader I have that message. I’m listening now.”

New leader with old ties who want to continue

Analysis by Leila Nathoo, BBC political correspondent

This was Sir Ed Davey’s second attempt to win Liberal Democratic leadership – he lost to Jo Swinson last year.

This time around, he comfortably convinced party members that his years of experience in government and parliament were in fact an advantage, and a better bet than the tone of his challenger for change.

Sir Ed acknowledged that his task now was to try to restore the party’s happiness.

It has just 11 MPs in the Commons after being punished over three general elections after the coalition with the Conservatives.

And the wave of defects throughout the days of the Brexit process proved to be a flash in the pan.

The remaining position of the Liberal Democrats was rejected by voters in 2019, and, now in a post-Brexit world – and with the Labor Party also under new management – Sir Ed will seek to continue.

He will hope that his focus on climate change can redefine the Lib Dems and help them regain national relevance.

Sir Ed also thanked Mrs Moran for her “passionate campaign” and promised the education spokesperson a “big role” in his team.

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron congratulated Sir Ed on his victory, calling him a “fantastic campaigner who has the experience and vision to advance our party”.

And fellow MP Wera Hobhouse, who stepped down from the leadership, said she was looking forward to “a new positive future for our party”.

The Lib Dems originally planned to postpone the match to succeed Mrs. Swinson until May 2021.

But the party brought it forward after criticism from party members.

The two-month match began in June, but most hustings and meetings had to take place practically due to coronavirus.

The party issued 117,924 ballots for the contest – the largest number in its history – and turnout was 57.6%.

Sir Ed won with 42,756 votes, while Mrs. Moran received 24,564 votes.

The margin was the largest for a Lib Dem leadership winner since the late Paddy Ashdown secured 71% of his party’s vote in 1988.