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| Williams election 'breaks mould' | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Kirsty Williams said she had "broken the mould" after being elected Wales' first female party leader in the Welsh Liberal Democrat leadership contest. | |
| The Brecon and Radnorshire AM will replace Mike German after beating Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson. | The Brecon and Radnorshire AM will replace Mike German after beating Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson. |
| She gained 59.9% of vote over Ms Randerson's 40.1% on a 68.1% turnout | She gained 59.9% of vote over Ms Randerson's 40.1% on a 68.1% turnout |
| Ms Williams, aged 37, launched her leadership bid saying she wanted to embrace the party's talent to achieve success "in all parts of Wales". | Ms Williams, aged 37, launched her leadership bid saying she wanted to embrace the party's talent to achieve success "in all parts of Wales". |
| She has been an AM since 1999 and was a member of the National Assembly Advisory Group (NAAG) which decided the institution's working arrangements when it was created. | She has been an AM since 1999 and was a member of the National Assembly Advisory Group (NAAG) which decided the institution's working arrangements when it was created. |
| The mother-of-three looked tearful when the result was announced at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. We will re-ignite the flame of liberalism that once burnt so bright in this country Kirsty Williams class="" href="/1/hi/wales/7772294.stm">Analysis: Challenges ahead for new leader | |
| She said her party had to reach out to people who felt let down by politics and the assembly and she had "something unique to offer the people of Wales". | She said her party had to reach out to people who felt let down by politics and the assembly and she had "something unique to offer the people of Wales". |
| "As a party we have broken the mould today by electing a woman," she said. | "As a party we have broken the mould today by electing a woman," she said. |
| "If you have been turned off by politics, by the way the Labour Party has let Wales down, or the Conservatives' attitude, or Plaid's abandonment of principles, then come. | "If you have been turned off by politics, by the way the Labour Party has let Wales down, or the Conservatives' attitude, or Plaid's abandonment of principles, then come. |
| "We will re-ignite the flame of liberalism that once burnt so bright in this country. | "We will re-ignite the flame of liberalism that once burnt so bright in this country. |
| "I am determined as leader of this party that the Welsh Liberal Democrats will blaze a trail for a new politics in Wales." | "I am determined as leader of this party that the Welsh Liberal Democrats will blaze a trail for a new politics in Wales." |
| Ms Williams also paid tribute to her "formidable opponent" Ms Randerson and called Mr German a "tremendous leader of this party". | Ms Williams also paid tribute to her "formidable opponent" Ms Randerson and called Mr German a "tremendous leader of this party". |
| Mrs Randerson said the contest had "ignited" interest in the party and "re-engaged" its membership. Kirsty has a strong record on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg | Mrs Randerson said the contest had "ignited" interest in the party and "re-engaged" its membership. Kirsty has a strong record on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg |
| Addressing the party's new leader she told Ms Williams: "You have a mandate for change within the party and a platform for bringing change to the nation." | Addressing the party's new leader she told Ms Williams: "You have a mandate for change within the party and a platform for bringing change to the nation." |
| "Kirsty, you have my deepest and sincere congratulations. | "Kirsty, you have my deepest and sincere congratulations. |
| "I have worked with you since the day the assembly started. Your qualities and strengths are formidable. | "I have worked with you since the day the assembly started. Your qualities and strengths are formidable. |
| "You have my word that from this moment onwards I will be with you every step of the way." | "You have my word that from this moment onwards I will be with you every step of the way." |
| Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was one of the first to congratulate his new Welsh counterpart on her success. | Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was one of the first to congratulate his new Welsh counterpart on her success. |
| "Kirsty's election as leader is excellent news for the Welsh Liberal Democrats and for Wales," he said. | "Kirsty's election as leader is excellent news for the Welsh Liberal Democrats and for Wales," he said. |
| "I know that Kirsty will be a strong champion for liberal values in the Senedd, helping to make Wales a fairer and greener nation. | "I know that Kirsty will be a strong champion for liberal values in the Senedd, helping to make Wales a fairer and greener nation. |
| "Kirsty has a strong record on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales, taking the fight to both Labour and Plaid Cymru in their heartlands." | "Kirsty has a strong record on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales, taking the fight to both Labour and Plaid Cymru in their heartlands." |
| Labour leader and First Minister Rhodri Morgan added his own congratulations and took time to pay tribute to the departing Mr German. KIRSTY WILLIAMS FACTFILE Born: Taunton, SomersetAge: 37Previous occupation: Marketing executiveConstituency: AM for Brecon and Radnorshire since 1999Supporters include: Mark Williams MP, AMs Mick Bates and Peter Black, Powys councillor Liam Fitzpatrick, Cardiff councillor Gareth Aubrey | Labour leader and First Minister Rhodri Morgan added his own congratulations and took time to pay tribute to the departing Mr German. KIRSTY WILLIAMS FACTFILE Born: Taunton, SomersetAge: 37Previous occupation: Marketing executiveConstituency: AM for Brecon and Radnorshire since 1999Supporters include: Mark Williams MP, AMs Mick Bates and Peter Black, Powys councillor Liam Fitzpatrick, Cardiff councillor Gareth Aubrey |
| "Not only is she the first woman to be elected as a party leader in Wales, she has already shown her abilities as a feisty campaigner back in the referendum campaign in 1997, and in the assembly over the past nine years," he said. | "Not only is she the first woman to be elected as a party leader in Wales, she has already shown her abilities as a feisty campaigner back in the referendum campaign in 1997, and in the assembly over the past nine years," he said. |
| "Can I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mike German both for his contribution to assembly politics since May 1999, and for his hard work as a cabinet colleague during the course of the Labour/Lib Dem coalition." | "Can I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mike German both for his contribution to assembly politics since May 1999, and for his hard work as a cabinet colleague during the course of the Labour/Lib Dem coalition." |
| Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also paid tribute to the outgoing leader before congratulating his replacement on her success. | Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also paid tribute to the outgoing leader before congratulating his replacement on her success. |
| "He has been leader of his party since the first assembly election in 1999 and in this time has had a large impact on his party and Welsh politics," he said. | "He has been leader of his party since the first assembly election in 1999 and in this time has had a large impact on his party and Welsh politics," he said. |
| "I would also like to congratulate Kirsty Williams on her victory. She is an experienced AM and I'm sure that she will be a worthy opponent in the assembly chamber." | "I would also like to congratulate Kirsty Williams on her victory. She is an experienced AM and I'm sure that she will be a worthy opponent in the assembly chamber." |
| Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne AM added: "I congratulate Kirsty on her success and wish her well in her new role. | Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne AM added: "I congratulate Kirsty on her success and wish her well in her new role. |
| "This is an important moment for the national assembly and for Wales in general, representing as it does a significant breakthrough in the representation of women in frontline Welsh politics." | "This is an important moment for the national assembly and for Wales in general, representing as it does a significant breakthrough in the representation of women in frontline Welsh politics." |