Ros Scott elected Liberal Democrat Party President (Sleaford and North Hykeham Liberal Democrats)

Sleaford and North Hykeham Liberal Democrats <ada.trethewey@dtseeds.com>

Ros Scott elected Liberal Democrat Party President

November 8, 2008 2:50 PM
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats

Ros Scott will take over as the party's President on 1st January following a postal ballot of all the party's members.

Commenting on Baroness (Ros) Scott's election as Liberal Democrat Party President, Party Leader Nick Clegg said:

"I would like to congratulate Ros Scott on her election.

"The role of President in the Liberal Democrats is a vital one for the organisation and management of the party. I know that Ros will do a fantastic job of representing the membership and upholding the wonderful tradition of internal party democracy that sets us so apart from other political parties.

"Together with Chris Rennard, we will have a powerful team working closely together to take us into the next General Election.

"I would like to give a special thanks to Simon Hughes for the huge contribution he has made in his role as President of the party. He tirelessly led so many campaigns around the country as President, engaging directly with people and communities with his trademark warmth and energy. His support to me in my first months as a new Leader was invaluable."

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Party President, Ros Scott said:

"I'm really proud to belong to a Party in which every member has a chance to vote for the person they want to run the internal management of the Party.

"This campaign has given Liberal Democrats the opportunity to have a robust dialogue within the Party about the role of the President and how the Party should be run.

"Our Party is a genuine grass roots movement, and the job of the President is to ensure that we stay that way - that our members and activists remain at the heart of everything we do.

"Many of the problems this country faces today are a result of successive Tory and Labour Governments failing to face up to the need for strengthening international institutions, failing to regulate the financial services sector and over centralising public services.

"Only the Liberal Democrats have offered an alternative to this old tired thinking and as we approach the next General Election our Party needs to rise to the challenge of demonstrating that a vote for either the Labour or Conservative Parties simply means more of the same.

"I am proud to be able to play my part, alongside Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, in increasing Liberal Democrat representation at all levels of Government in all parts of the country."

The full result was:

Ros Scott 20,736 votes (72%)

Lembit Opik 6,247 votes (22%)

Chandila Fernando 1,799 votes (6%)

Spoil ballots 49

Turnout: 47.8% (+0.4% on last time)