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Tim Farron profile: who is the new Liberal Democrat leader ? Tim Farron profile: who is the new Liberal Democrat leader ?
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The announcement that Tim Farron is to replace Nick Clegg as the leader of the Liberal Democrats has surprised very few.The announcement that Tim Farron is to replace Nick Clegg as the leader of the Liberal Democrats has surprised very few.
The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, one of just eight Liberal Democrats to keep their seats in May’s general election, was the bookies’ favourite to win from the moment he announced he was standing against Norman Lamb, the MP for North Norfolk, a week after the general election.The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, one of just eight Liberal Democrats to keep their seats in May’s general election, was the bookies’ favourite to win from the moment he announced he was standing against Norman Lamb, the MP for North Norfolk, a week after the general election.
Farron ran for parliament three times – including in North West Durham in 1992, where Theresa May was the Conservative candidate – before finally winning his seat in 2005, overturning decades of Tory rule in his constituency. Farron ran for parliament three times – including in North West Durham in 1992, where Theresa May was the Conservative candidate – before finally winning his seat in 2005, overturning decades of Conservative rule in his constituency.
Farron supported Nick Clegg’s leadership campaign in 2007, but in coalition he voted against some of the coalition’s most unpopular policies, including the bedroom tax and tuition fees.Farron supported Nick Clegg’s leadership campaign in 2007, but in coalition he voted against some of the coalition’s most unpopular policies, including the bedroom tax and tuition fees.
He insists that he is fiercely proud of his party’s record in government, but his refusal to toe the party line didn’t always win him friends. “Which bit of the sanctimonious, god-bothering, treacherous little shit is there not to like?” said one senior party figure after the bedroom tax vote. He insists that he is fiercely proud of his party’s record in government, but his refusal to toe the party line did not always win him friends. “Which bit of the sanctimonious, god-bothering, treacherous little shit is there not to like?” said one senior party figure after the bedroom tax vote.
During the party’s spring conference in March, Farron told journalists that the decision to go into coalition could have damaged the party for a generation. Paddy Ashdown, the former party leader, responded by saying that while Farron was a friend, “his well-known ambition would be better served with a little more patience and a little more judgment”. He added: “Judgment is not his strong suit.”During the party’s spring conference in March, Farron told journalists that the decision to go into coalition could have damaged the party for a generation. Paddy Ashdown, the former party leader, responded by saying that while Farron was a friend, “his well-known ambition would be better served with a little more patience and a little more judgment”. He added: “Judgment is not his strong suit.”
His supporters argued that Farron was the right candidate to give the party a fresh start and to take on the difficult task of getting them noticed again. “With him as leader we can show that we are a compassionate, tolerant, internationalist, reformist party that looks beyond sectional interest to the greater good,” read a statement from the leaders of the Welsh and Scottish Liberal Democrats, who counted among his backers.His supporters argued that Farron was the right candidate to give the party a fresh start and to take on the difficult task of getting them noticed again. “With him as leader we can show that we are a compassionate, tolerant, internationalist, reformist party that looks beyond sectional interest to the greater good,” read a statement from the leaders of the Welsh and Scottish Liberal Democrats, who counted among his backers.
Farron was passed over for a government job in the coalition, but ran for the position of deputy leader of the party after the election in May 2010, losing out to Simon Hughes, who got 68% of the vote. Undeterred, Farron announced he would be standing against former MP Susan Kramer to be the party’s president in September the same year, a contest he won with 53% of the vote.Farron was passed over for a government job in the coalition, but ran for the position of deputy leader of the party after the election in May 2010, losing out to Simon Hughes, who got 68% of the vote. Undeterred, Farron announced he would be standing against former MP Susan Kramer to be the party’s president in September the same year, a contest he won with 53% of the vote.
Farron was born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1970. His political awakening came when he watched Cathy Come Home at the age of 14 and was prompted to join Shelter and then the Liberal party.Farron was born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1970. His political awakening came when he watched Cathy Come Home at the age of 14 and was prompted to join Shelter and then the Liberal party.
He went to local state schools before going on to study politics at Newcastle University. While a student, Farron was elected to the National Union of Students’ executive and he was the first Liberal Democrat to be made president of the Newcastle University union society.He went to local state schools before going on to study politics at Newcastle University. While a student, Farron was elected to the National Union of Students’ executive and he was the first Liberal Democrat to be made president of the Newcastle University union society.
He worked as an administrator at Lancaster University before winning his seat in parliament in 2005.He worked as an administrator at Lancaster University before winning his seat in parliament in 2005.
Farron is a committed Christian, having found God when he was 18, though he admits to having lapsed somewhat in his 20s. “I don’t like labels,” he told the Guardian last month. “I just count myself as a Christian, and my faith is in Jesus Christ, I put my trust in him. I count him as my lord and saviour, and I’m in no way ashamed of that.”Farron is a committed Christian, having found God when he was 18, though he admits to having lapsed somewhat in his 20s. “I don’t like labels,” he told the Guardian last month. “I just count myself as a Christian, and my faith is in Jesus Christ, I put my trust in him. I count him as my lord and saviour, and I’m in no way ashamed of that.”
Farron is married to Rosemary Cantley and the couple live in Milnthorpe in his constituency with their four children – two daughters and two sons.Farron is married to Rosemary Cantley and the couple live in Milnthorpe in his constituency with their four children – two daughters and two sons.