Jo Swinson, has been announced as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. She is the Lib Dems’ first female leader, having beaten Sir Ed Davey to the top job. Swinson is MP for East Dunbartonshire.
Swinson served as PPS to Vince Cable and then Nick Clegg in the coalition government. She was promoted to junior minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2012, where she oversaw the privatisation of Royal Mail.
The new leader continues to the Liberal Democrats’ opposition to Brexit and the party’s policy of a second referendum.
Swinson will lead the Liberal Democrats’ 12 MPs at Westminster and seek to build on the 20% vote share the party secured at the EU elections.
The party is favourite to win the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election on 1st August. This will be the first electoral test for both the new Prime Minister and the Liberal Democrats leader. A poll released at the weekend put the Liberal Democrats on 43%, ahead of the Consevatives on 28%.
