New leader can take Lib Dems into government- says leading Leicestershire Lib Dem Councillor

Jo Swinson has been welcomed to the leadership of the Lib Dems by a leading local Lib Dem who believes there's a real chance the party can make a big breakthrough at the next election.

Leicestershire County Councillor Michael Mullaney said "We were fortunate to have two excellent candidates for the leadership of the party Ed Davey and Jo Swinson. I backed Ed Davey and am sorry to not see him elected leader however Jo Swinson will make a great leader and gives the Lib Dems a real chance of breaking through at the next election.

"In recent months Lib Dems made massive gains in the local elections including gaining Hinckley and Bosworth Council. In the European elections Lib Dems finished comfortably ahead of Labour and the Tories for the first time in a national election since 1906. Since then the Lib Dems have seen a huge boost in membership, a big increase in support in the opinion polls and are regularly gaining seats in local by elections. A big thank you to Vince Cable for leading us to these excellent results.

"Whenever the next Conservative leader calls a general election the Lib Dems will have the right policies for the country on tackling climate change and delivering quality public services, health and education.

"When the general election is called with Lib Dem support rising we are ready to gain seats here in Hinckley and Bosworth and across Britain."