Baroness Scott is new Lib Dem president

Monday, 10 November 2008 12:00 AM

Ros Scott has pledged to help the party's leadership show the British people "it can be different" after winning the Liberal Democrat presidency.

Baroness Scott of Needham Market won the three-way race to succeed outgoing president Simon Hughes over the weekend.

She won 20,736 votes compared to parliamentary rival Lembit Opik's 6,247. Activist candidate Chandila Fernando won 1,799 votes.

"I am delighted and honoured that you have elected me as your president," Baroness Scott said in a message sent to her supporters following the result.

"I'd like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all those of you who have been in touch with me during the campaign, to the people who have organised events and attended them, and to those of you who wrote such encouraging comments on my website."

Her 72 per cent share of the vote gives her the mandate to enforce the reforms of the party's administration she proposed during her campaign.

Baroness Scott wants the party to work more closely with its membership and ensure grassroots thinking is reflected in the way the party operates.

She added: "I want to play my part in working alongside all of you, under the leadership of Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, in showing the people of this country that it can be different and that with more Liberal Democrats elected at every level of government, it will be different."

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