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Britain’s Liberal Democrats Pick Tim Farron as Leader Britain’s Liberal Democrats Pick Tim Farron as Leader
(about 4 hours later)
LONDON — Seeking to revive their party’s fortunes after its worst elections ever, Britain’s Liberal Democrats on Thursday chose as their leader Tim Farron, a member of Parliament who has signaled a return to the left with plans to focus on human rights, the environment and social inequality. LONDON — Seeking to revive their party’s fortunes after its worst elections ever, Britain’s Liberal Democrats on Thursday chose as their leader Tim Farron, a member of Parliament who has signaled a return to the left with plans to focus on human rights, the environment and social inequality.
“This is a liberal country,’’ Mr. Farron wrote on Twitter after his victory. “Our job now is to turn millions of liberals throughout the U.K. into Liberal Democrats.” He beat Norman Lamb, a former minister for health, for the leadership post. “This is a liberal country,” Mr. Farron wrote on Twitter after his victory. “Our job now is to turn millions of liberals throughout the U.K. into Liberal Democrats.” He beat Norman Lamb, a former minister for health, for the leadership post.
In May, voters punished the Liberal Democrats after the party spent five years in the coalition government with the Conservatives. Nick Clegg resigned as leader immediately after the party won just 8 percent of the vote and lost 49 of its 57 seats in Parliament.In May, voters punished the Liberal Democrats after the party spent five years in the coalition government with the Conservatives. Nick Clegg resigned as leader immediately after the party won just 8 percent of the vote and lost 49 of its 57 seats in Parliament.
Mr. Farron, 45, represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, in the heart of England’s picturesque Lake District, and is a former party president.Mr. Farron, 45, represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, in the heart of England’s picturesque Lake District, and is a former party president.
His election comes as the main opposition party, Labour, is struggling to rebuild after its own crushing defeat in May, an outcome that many attributed to a campaign that leaned too far to the left and ignored voters in the center. Its leader, Ed Miliband, also resigned in the immediate aftermath, and the party is choosing among four candidates for a replacement. To the surprise of many, the leader in the Labour race so far is Jeremy Corbyn, a lawmaker even farther to the left than Mr. Miliband. His election comes as the main opposition party, Labour, is struggling to rebuild after its own crushing defeat in May, an outcome that many attributed to a campaign that leaned too far to the left and ignored voters in the center. Its leader, Ed Miliband, resigned in the immediate aftermath, and the party is choosing among four candidates for a replacement. To the surprise of many, the leader in the Labour race so far is Jeremy Corbyn, a lawmaker even further to the left than Mr. Miliband.
The Labour race will not be decided until the fall, but the progress of Mr. Corbyn, with strong support from union leaders, raises the possibility that Britain’s three main opposition parties, including the Scottish National Party, could soon be shepherded by avowed leftists.The Labour race will not be decided until the fall, but the progress of Mr. Corbyn, with strong support from union leaders, raises the possibility that Britain’s three main opposition parties, including the Scottish National Party, could soon be shepherded by avowed leftists.
That has led to concern among more centrist Labour members and the Liberal Democrats that they could alienate moderate voters and strengthen the hand of Prime Minister David Cameron, a Conservative, as he deals with a slew of challenges, including the sagging economy, Britain’s place in Europe and the effects of rising nationalism in Scotland.That has led to concern among more centrist Labour members and the Liberal Democrats that they could alienate moderate voters and strengthen the hand of Prime Minister David Cameron, a Conservative, as he deals with a slew of challenges, including the sagging economy, Britain’s place in Europe and the effects of rising nationalism in Scotland.
Mr. Corbyn, 66, a socialist from North London who opposed the Iraq War, has gained in popularity among younger members of the grass-roots Labour Party and Britain’s largest union, Unite, by railing against austerity. Mr. Corbyn, 66, a socialist from North London who opposed the Iraq war, has gained in popularity among younger members of the grass-roots Labour Party and Britain’s largest union, Unite, by railing against austerity.
Under Mr. Farron, the Liberal Democrats are expected to seek to burnish their reputation as the party of protest and to reinvigorate their devastated supporters. Some of those backers accused the party of sacrificing its principles during its five years in the coalition government by, for example, agreeing to raise tuition fees and backing tough austerity policies. Mr. Farron voted against increasing tuition.Under Mr. Farron, the Liberal Democrats are expected to seek to burnish their reputation as the party of protest and to reinvigorate their devastated supporters. Some of those backers accused the party of sacrificing its principles during its five years in the coalition government by, for example, agreeing to raise tuition fees and backing tough austerity policies. Mr. Farron voted against increasing tuition.
Born in Preston, Lancashire, Mr. Farron was raised by his mother after his father, a construction manager, left the family when Mr. Farron was 5. Passionate about music and soccer, he worked as an advocate for the environment and homeless people when he was a teenager.Born in Preston, Lancashire, Mr. Farron was raised by his mother after his father, a construction manager, left the family when Mr. Farron was 5. Passionate about music and soccer, he worked as an advocate for the environment and homeless people when he was a teenager.
Mr. Farron told The Daily Telegraph that at age 18 he found God after reading the Bible, cover to cover, during a trip to Singapore. He was baptized at age 21. In the past, he has irked some of his party colleagues by speaking out against abortion. However, in 2013 he voted in favor of a law affirming same-sex marriage.Mr. Farron told The Daily Telegraph that at age 18 he found God after reading the Bible, cover to cover, during a trip to Singapore. He was baptized at age 21. In the past, he has irked some of his party colleagues by speaking out against abortion. However, in 2013 he voted in favor of a law affirming same-sex marriage.
After studying politics at Newcastle University, where he was president of the Student Union, Mr. Farron ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in 1997 and failed in a run for the European Parliament in 1999. In 2005, he was elected to the British Parliament.After studying politics at Newcastle University, where he was president of the Student Union, Mr. Farron ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in 1997 and failed in a run for the European Parliament in 1999. In 2005, he was elected to the British Parliament.
He is an avid user of social media.He is an avid user of social media.