SOLIHULL’S former MP has welcomed the first female leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Baroness Lorely Burt of Solihull told The Observer Ms Swinson will bring a ‘breath of fresh air to British politics.’
Ms Swinson, the MP for East Dunbartonshire, won 47,997 votes against Sir Ed Davey’s 28,021 votes from party members.
As well as being the first woman to take charge of the party, the 39-year-old is also its youngest ever leader.
Baroness Burt said: “Jo Swinson brings a breath of fresh air to British politics at a time when the old style political system is polluted with stale ideas and futile revolving arguments.
“Polls show the Liberal Democrats running equal to the Conservatives, with Labour trailing in third place.
“Our star is rising again, and Jo is offering the leadership a perspective we have been missing for so long.
“The girl’s got the guts and determination to take on the old public school politicians who have alienated the British people and bring a new kind of politics which is more compassionate and understands the challenges that real people face.”
Speaking after the announcement of her leadership was confirmed, Ms Swinson said: “I am delighted, honoured and over the moon to stand before you as the leader of the Liberal Democrats and as the first woman leader of the party.”
Ms Swinson, who has been the party’s deputy leader since 2017, was a business minister in the Lib Dem-Conservative coalition government.
She was just 25 years old when she was first elected to Parliament in 2005.
She regained her East Dunbartonshire seat in the 2017 general election after losing it two years earlier.
