LONDON (UK) – Opposition Liberal Democratic party elected Ed Davey as its fourth leader in five years on Thursday. The former minister vowed to rebuild the party that seriously lacks support and sustained losses in the last election.
The party tried to woo voters in the previous election by banking on its opposition to Brexit, but it backfired and they had to be content with just 11 seats with then leader Jo Swinson losing her place in parliament.
Earlier, they were kingmakers when they entered the 2010 coalition government with the Conservatives under former prime minister David Cameron.
Davey handled ministerial roles in the 2010 coalition government. He defeated rival Layla Moran by 42,756 votes and said he had listened to the voice of voters who deserted his party in the past three elections.
“So my job from today is to rebuild the Liberal Democrats to national relevance,” he said after being elected leader.
“None of this is going to be easy, none of this is going to be straightforward and none of it is going to be quick or simple to achieve. But I want the Liberal Democrats to represent the whole country … The hard work starts today.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.