Congratulations to Ros Scott

Ros Scott has been elected as the new President of the Liberal Democrats. The voting figures, announced at Cowley Street earlier this afternoon, were as follows:

• Ros Scott 20,736 votes (72%)
• Lembit Opik 6,247 votes (22%)
• Chandila Fernando 1,799 votes (6%)

There were 49 spoilt ballots and the turnout was 47.8%, up +0.4% on last time.

But before you get too excited about this, in the 2004 Presidential election 34,335 votes were cast, against only 28,782 this time, suggesting a significant decline in party membership.

This is an overwhelming and deserved victory for Ros. As Costigan Quist says, it is a victory for Ros's hard work. And as James Graham says, it is a victory for her intelligent use of the internet.

Lembit has tested to destruction the proposition that there is no such thing as bad publicity. He now needs to take himself more seriously in order to persuade others to take him more seriously. He has a Westminster seat to retain and will no doubt return to the Lib Dem front bench soon.

Otherwise... As I write this, Neil and Christine Hamilton, as if in dreadful warning to him, are appearing on Hole in the Wall.

Lord Bonkers adds: The immediate aftermath of any election is a time for magnanimity. I hope no one will make fun of Linda Jack for writing:

So what of Lembit? When he wins next week (and there can be little doubt now that he will) ...