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Willie Rennie named new Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie named new Scottish Lib Dem leader
(about 2 hours later)
By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC ScotlandBy Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland
Willie Rennie has been appointed as the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have appointed a new leader, Willie Rennie, in the wake of their disastrous Holyrood election result.
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 party lost 11 seats on 5 May, leaving them with five MSPs, as voters punished the Lib Dems for their role in the UK coalition government.
The Lib Dems lost 11 seats in the Holyrood election, down from 16 to 5, which saw the SNP win a majority. But Mr Rennie denied the Scottish Lib Dems would have to distance themselves from the UK party.
Mr Rennie was the only candidate for the leadership, when nominations closed at noon. The MSP pledged to stand up to the "bulldozer" SNP majority government.
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. Scottish Secretary and Lib Dem MP Michael Moore described Mr Rennie as a "first-class leader".
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, 43, who has been elected to Holyrood for the first time on the Mid Scotland and Fife list, was the only leadership candidate.
He has also pledged to stand up against what he has called the "SNP bulldozer administration". The former MP said his party's election performance was "bad", and promised a return to community politics.
The post of Scottish Lib Dem leader became vacant when Mr Scott, the MSP for Shetland, quit the post he had held since 2008. But, denying there had to be a split with the UK Lib Dems, Mr Rennie said: "People were angry, frustrated and disappointed about the coalition at a UK level.
"It is vital that people understand what the coalition is about - for me, it is about stopping the Tories doing their worst."
On his strategy to rebuild the party, Mr Rennie said: "We need to reflect on the disappointment of the Scottish Parliament election results and move on and up.
"Scotland needs a strong liberal voice at all levels of government, and I am determined to see that strong liberal voice flourish."
Turning to his opponents, Mr Rennie added: "I will be working with my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament to stand up to the SNP bulldozer.
"We will not sit on our hands in the face of an SNP majority - we will be that Liberal voice standing up for the values that Scotland holds dear."
Mr Rennie replaces Shetland MSP Tavish Scott as leader, after he 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.
Mr Moore said of the new leader: "Willie and I have worked together for many years.
"His energy, integrity and commitment make him the right person to lead our party in Scotland.
"As an experienced politician and a veteran campaigner he is ideally placed to promote our values in the new Scottish Parliament and throughout Scotland too."