Farron congratulates Nick Clegg on leadership victory

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 18th Dec 2007

Local MP Tim Farron has given warm congratulations to Nick Clegg on being elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. After an eight week campaign Mr Clegg has emerged victorious, and will now look to form his shadow cabinet in the coming days.

Tim Farron said:

?Three stars have emerged in the wake of this campaign, Vince Cable ? the most enhanced figure in British politics, Chris Huhne ? he ran an energetic campaign and will be a worthy member of Nick?s front bench team, and finally of course Nick Clegg ? the future of British politics. It was great to have Nick in the constituency during the campaign to meet with local farmers, and I was encouraged to hear his commitment to addressing the challenges we face in rural areas.

?Nick is the first Lib Dem leader in many a year who can seriously hope to be in Government. I know from conversations I have overheard from Labour and Conservative MPs that he is the opposition politician they fear the most, it?s onwards and upwards from here!?