Local Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has congratulated new Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP on his victory.
The former Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, beat rival Chris Huhne with 20,988 votes compared to 20,477 The Welsh Liberal Democrats lead both Swansea and Bridgend Councils as part of coalitions and are expected to make gains in the 2008 local elections.
"As someone who openly supported Nick Clegg I am of course delighted with the result." said Mr. Black. "The closeness of the result shows what a competitive and hard fought campaign it was. I have several friends who supported Chris Huhne and while I believe he would have made a fantastic leader in his own right, this in my view is the result that represents the best future for our party."
"This contest came about in unfortunate circumstances, but I am glad that we can now move forward and get back to representing people on the local and national issues that are important to them. I would like to thank Vince Cable for his dazzling interim leadership and Menzies Campbell for his time as leader. Our party is now focused and ready to fight the local elections. We have never been more relevant as a party."