Clegg named Lib Dem leader

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

He beat Chris Huhne by a very narrow margin, polling 20,988 to his rival's 20,477, after a two-month contest sparked by the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell.

The announcement was made by acting party leader Vince Cable at London's St Martin's Lane Hotel.

Mr Clegg said: "My election as leader ... marks a new beginning. Today is about two things - ambition and change.

"Renewed ambition for the Lib Dems, renewed ambition to reach out to the millions of people who I know share our instincts and values but do not yet vote for us. It is about renewed ambition for Britain."

The narrow margin of victory surprised Westminster, where most observers had regarded Mr Clegg as the front-runner.

Mr Huhne said: "I look forward to participating as part of Nick's team to make sure the party goes from strength to strength." He added: "This party is going to see even greater successes in the future than it has in the past. We have just elected a leader who is going to take us on from strength to strength."

A postal ballot of the party's 65,000 members closed on Saturday following a series of head-to-head hustings featuring Mr Clegg and Mr Huhne across the country.

Although Sheffield Hallam MP Mr Clegg was widely seen as being further to the right than his rival, the relatively low-key campaign revealed little in the way of policy differences between the two contenders.

Sir Menzies, 66, who beat Mr Huhne to the top job in March last year when Charles Kennedy was ousted after admitting a drink problem, faced constant jibes about his age during his 19-month stint in the party's top job.