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Willie Rennie named new Scottish Lib Dem leader | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland | By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland |
Willie Rennie has been appointed as the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. | |
The politician has replaced Tavish Scott in the role, despite having been elected as an MSP for the first time in the 5 May Holyrood election. | |
The Lib Dems lost 11 seats in the Holyrood election, down from 16 to 5, which saw the SNP win a majority. | The Lib Dems lost 11 seats in the Holyrood election, down from 16 to 5, which saw the SNP win a majority. |
Mr Rennie was the only candidate for the leadership, when nominations closed at noon. | |
The former MP and UK government adviser now faces the task of re-building the party after Scottish voters decided to punish the Lib Dems for their role in the UK coalition government. | |
Mr Rennie, now an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said his party's election performance was "bad" and is promising to rebuild trust and reconnect with voters. | Mr Rennie, now an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said his party's election performance was "bad" and is promising to rebuild trust and reconnect with voters. |
He has also pledged to stand up against what he has called the "SNP bulldozer administration". | He has also pledged to stand up against what he has called the "SNP bulldozer administration". |
The post of Scottish Lib Dem leader became vacant when Mr Scott, the MSP for Shetland, quit the post he had held since 2008. | The post of Scottish Lib Dem leader became vacant when Mr Scott, the MSP for Shetland, quit the post he had held since 2008. |
The Lib Dems lost 25 deposits after failing to win 5% of the vote in some areas on election night. | The Lib Dems lost 25 deposits after failing to win 5% of the vote in some areas on election night. |