Sheffield Liberal Democrats welcome one of their own as new Leader!

12.00.00am GMT Wed 19th Dec 2007

Nick Clegg, seen here at the declaration, is the new leader of the LIberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats in Sheffield have welcomed the election of one of their own local members, Nick Clegg, as the new Leader of the Party. The result of the vote of Liberal Democrat members was announced on Tuesday 18th December. In a message sent to members in Sheffield shortly after the result was declared, Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council said, "Nick Clegg will be a great Leader of the Liberal Democrats and I am delighted he has won the backing of members.

"Unlike the Labour Party, who gave Gordon Brown a coronation and are already regretting it, we have had a vibrant contest, with the leadership contenders travelling all round the country, setting out their ideas and listening to the views and suggestions of party members. We showed once again how we are the most open, democratic party in British politics.

"This is an exciting time to be a Liberal Democrat. Gordon Brown's Government is blundering from one disaster to another. But the Conservatives' policy-lite PR agenda has failed to catch people's imagination. People are ready to hear what the Liberal Democrats have to offer.

"The election of Nick Clegg has put wind in our sails and under his leadership, we will continue to move forward in Sheffield."