Nick Clegg is new Lib Dem leader

3.45.00pm GMT Tue 18th Dec 2007

Nick Clegg

Nick Clegg has won the race to become the next Liberal Democrat leader. In a tight result he received 20,988 votes whilst Chris Huhne received 20,477. Accepting the leadership, Nick Clegg said he had one ambition: "To change Britain to make it the liberal country I believe people want it to be."

In his speech he praised his predecessor Sir Menzies Campbell and thanked Vince Cable for his "spellbinding" performance as acting leader.

Nick Clegg went on to say:

"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.

"I want today to mark the beginning of a real change in Britain. The beginning of Britain's Liberal future."