Nick Clegg is new Liberal Democrat leader

3.57.00pm GMT Wed 19th Dec 2007

Nick Clegg has been elected as the fourth leader of the Liberal Democrats. In a close contest he beat Chris Huhne by just 511 votes. Nick won by 20,988 votes to 20,477, with 50.6 per cent of the vote. In his victory speech Nick spoke of his renewed ambition for the party, saying he wanted the Liberal Democrats to reach out to all those who share our instincts and our values but don't yet vote for us. "We want to change politics and change Britain," he said. He said he believed liberalism was "the thread that holds together everything that this country stands for". Previously, in a short speech, Chris Huhne said he looked forward to being part of Nick's team. He praised Nick's energy and intelligence, and said he was convinced that Nick would take the party on from strength to strength.