| Sir Menzies Campbell has emerged victorious in the battle to replace Charles Kennedy MP, as Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Menzies Campbell polled 58% of the votes in the second round of voting after Simon Hughes had been eliminated in the first round. Chris Huhne, the MP for nearby Eastleigh constituency, came second place having fought a very good campaign from being the rank outsider. The turn-out was 72%.
Sir Menzies has now embarked on a fourth career. As an Olympic sprinter, he captained team GB, holding the 100m record for 7 years. He has been an Advocate in Scots law and an MP for the constituency of Fife North East in 1987.
Today, Sir Menzies has been addressing a rejuvenated party at the spring conference in Harrogate saying that he will not be satisfied with consolidation and caution. The new party leader hopes to take the Liberal Democrats to a new level, reflecting the success of the recent parliamentary by-election & confounding the expectation of political commentators. |
