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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Nick Clegg is new Lib Dem leader | Nick Clegg is new Lib Dem leader |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Nick Clegg has won the race to become the next Liberal Democrat leader. | Nick Clegg has won the race to become the next Liberal Democrat leader. |
| The 40-year-old beat Chris Huhne to become the party's third leader in two years - in a contest which turned out to be even closer than expected. | The 40-year-old beat Chris Huhne to become the party's third leader in two years - in a contest which turned out to be even closer than expected. |
| Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist and former Euro MP, won 20,988 votes to the 20,477 votes cast for Mr Huhne by members. | Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist and former Euro MP, won 20,988 votes to the 20,477 votes cast for Mr Huhne by members. |
| In his acceptance speech Mr Clegg said he wanted his leadership to be about "ambition and change", saying "we want to change politics and change Britain". | In his acceptance speech Mr Clegg said he wanted his leadership to be about "ambition and change", saying "we want to change politics and change Britain". |
| The Sheffield Hallam MP said he wanted to mark the "beginning of Britain's liberal future". | |
| Mr Clegg, speaking after the announcement at a central London hotel, acknowledged it had been a "close fought contest" and praised his rival, who he said he was looking forward to working with. | Mr Clegg, speaking after the announcement at a central London hotel, acknowledged it had been a "close fought contest" and praised his rival, who he said he was looking forward to working with. |
| He said he wanted to attract those voters who shared liberal values, but did not currently vote for the party. | He said he wanted to attract those voters who shared liberal values, but did not currently vote for the party. |
| I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics Nick Clegg Profile: Nick Clegg | I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics Nick Clegg Profile: Nick Clegg |
| He thanked Vincent Cable for a "spellbinding" performance as acting leader - and praised his predecessor Sir Menzies Campbell, whose resignation in October sparked the leadership race. | He thanked Vincent Cable for a "spellbinding" performance as acting leader - and praised his predecessor Sir Menzies Campbell, whose resignation in October sparked the leadership race. |
| Mr Clegg, who has two children with wife Miriam, a Spanish lawyer, said that without Sir Menzies, the party would not have the "bright future" it now faced. | Mr Clegg, who has two children with wife Miriam, a Spanish lawyer, said that without Sir Menzies, the party would not have the "bright future" it now faced. |
| He said Labour and the Conservatives were "mutating" into each other, and urged disaffected voters to join the Lib Dems, saying he wanted to "provide a liberal alternative to the discredited politics of big government". | He said Labour and the Conservatives were "mutating" into each other, and urged disaffected voters to join the Lib Dems, saying he wanted to "provide a liberal alternative to the discredited politics of big government". |
| Public meetings | Public meetings |
| He pledged to spend at least a day a week campaigning outside Westminster, and to hold regular public town hall meetings to give people who were not Lib Dem members, but supported the party, a chance to have their say. | He pledged to spend at least a day a week campaigning outside Westminster, and to hold regular public town hall meetings to give people who were not Lib Dem members, but supported the party, a chance to have their say. |
| He accused the Conservatives of having "no answers to the big issues" and said Labour was "increasingly exhausted and discredited" - saying it left an opportunity for the Lib Dems. | He accused the Conservatives of having "no answers to the big issues" and said Labour was "increasingly exhausted and discredited" - saying it left an opportunity for the Lib Dems. |
| You win some you lose some, it was a close-run thing Chris Huhne Huhne hails Clegg | You win some you lose some, it was a close-run thing Chris Huhne Huhne hails Clegg |
| "I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics, because Liberal Democrats have the courage to imagine a better society to break the stifling grip of the two party system for good. | "I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics, because Liberal Democrats have the courage to imagine a better society to break the stifling grip of the two party system for good. |
| "To bring in a new politics, of politicians who listen to people, not themselves. No more business as usual. No more government knows best. | "To bring in a new politics, of politicians who listen to people, not themselves. No more business as usual. No more government knows best. |
| "I want today to mark the beginning of a real change in Britain. The beginning of Britain's Liberal future." | "I want today to mark the beginning of a real change in Britain. The beginning of Britain's Liberal future." |
| Third leader | Third leader |
| Mr Huhne thanked everyone involved in his campaign and said he looked forward to working with Mr Clegg - whom he praised for his warmth, intelligence and energy. | Mr Huhne thanked everyone involved in his campaign and said he looked forward to working with Mr Clegg - whom he praised for his warmth, intelligence and energy. |
| He told the BBC: "I have been around the course long enough that I know what the rules of the game are - you win some you lose some, it was a close-run thing." | He told the BBC: "I have been around the course long enough that I know what the rules of the game are - you win some you lose some, it was a close-run thing." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I voted for Nick but, to be honest, I found it hard to see the difference between him and Chris T, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I voted for Nick but, to be honest, I found it hard to see the difference between him and Chris T, UK Send us your comments |
| He said there was inevitably an "in-built abrasiveness" to leadership contests, but said the contest had got the party's message across and he was sure he and Mr Clegg would go on working well together. | He said there was inevitably an "in-built abrasiveness" to leadership contests, but said the contest had got the party's message across and he was sure he and Mr Clegg would go on working well together. |
| Mr Clegg is the party's third leader in two years - Charles Kennedy quit in January 2006, forced out by a frontbench rebellion after admitting a drink problem. Sir Menzies resigned in October, blaming an age-obsessed media. | Mr Clegg is the party's third leader in two years - Charles Kennedy quit in January 2006, forced out by a frontbench rebellion after admitting a drink problem. Sir Menzies resigned in October, blaming an age-obsessed media. |
| Following the announcement, Mr Kennedy told the BBC: "I think that, you know, barring acts of God, this will be our last leadership contest for a very long time. I certainly hope so anyway. And you know, I think we've now got fresh faces, a fresh start, and that's good news." | Following the announcement, Mr Kennedy told the BBC: "I think that, you know, barring acts of God, this will be our last leadership contest for a very long time. I certainly hope so anyway. And you know, I think we've now got fresh faces, a fresh start, and that's good news." |
| Sir Menzies said Mr Clegg had shown in his speech he had the drive and ability to take the party forward, adding: "It's a day for looking forward, not for looking back." | Sir Menzies said Mr Clegg had shown in his speech he had the drive and ability to take the party forward, adding: "It's a day for looking forward, not for looking back." |