Tim Farron is the new leader of the Liberal Democrats
The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, whose victory was announced on Twitter, is to make his first public appearance as leader at a central London rally later.
"Our job now is to turn millions of liberals throughout the UK into Liberal Democrats", he tweeted.
THANK YOU! This is a liberal country. Our job now is to turn millions of liberals throughout the UK into Liberal Democrats #LibDemFightback
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) July 16, 2015
Mr Lamb, a care minister in the coalition government, offered his congratulations, saying Mr Farron would make a "fantastic" leader who championed social justice.
Congratulations to @timfarron - will make fantastic @LibDems leader championing social justice and leading the #LibDemFightback
— Norman Lamb (@normanlamb) July 16, 2015
Mr Clegg tweeted: "It's a tough job but the best in politics. I know Tim will do us proud."
Congratulations to new @libdems leader @timfarron. It's a tough job but the best in politics. I know Tim will do us proud #libdemfightback
— Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) July 16, 2015
The new leader's immediate task is to rebuild the Liberal Democrats after a tough general election that left the party with just eight MPs.
Who is Tim Farron?
- The Newcastle University graduate joined the Liberal Party aged 16
- He stood for Parliament four times before finally being elected in 2005
- He has increased his majority from under 300 to more nearly 9,000 in the past 10 years – bucking national vote trends to make an unsafe Lib Dem seat , safe.
- He is well known to the NFU locally , regionally and in Westminster.
- He did not serve in the coalition and was party president between 2011 and 2014
- His heroes are Jo Grimond, Joe Strummer and CS Lewis
Challenge facing the new Lib Dem leader
The Lib Dems said 56% of members took part. A total of 33,897 votes were cast, with Mr Farron winning 19,137 of them.
Mr Farron, 45, is popular with activists and was the bookies' favourite to replace Mr Clegg.
But former leader Lord Ashdown and former deputy leader Vince Cable have recently criticised him.
Party president Sal Brinton said: "Tim is a fantastic communicator and his energy, enthusiasm and passion will inspire and drive the Liberal Democrats back to winning ways."