Nick Gives New Hope for New Year

8.04.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Jan 2008

The election of Nick Clegg as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats has already given the party a major boost. Support for the party has risen substantially and they are performing strongly in by-elections again.

Abigail Lock, Croydon and Sutton candidate for the GLA, welcomed Nick's election:

"I am especially delighted that Chris Huhne is playing such a major role in Nick's Shadow Cabinet - it shows that the party is united in its determination to communicate its liberal message to people."

Vince Cable - who stood in as acting leader - is continuing as a highly effective Shadow Chancellor.

In his New Year message, Nick emphasises how liberal values can help meet Britain's urgent needs. He especially expresses concern about the increasing disparity between rich and poor and the decline in social mobility. Nick has also set the Liberal Democrats the target of doubling the party's number of MPs within two general elections.

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Read Nick's New Year message in full.