Diana Celebrates as Charles Kennedy Become Leader of the Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Aug 1999

Diana Wallis spent yesterday afternoon celebrating in the National Liberal Club in London with the newly elected leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Charles Kennedy had received Diana's backing from the start of the campaign and she was delighted when she heard that he had won with 57% of the party members supporting him.

"This is a new dawn for the Liberal Democrats." Diana commented, "We have elected the man who will lead us to more and more success in the years to come. I am delighted."

The great and the good of the Liberal Democrats were all celebrating in London last night as Charles thanked those that helped him win. In his speech he thanked his supporters, including his mum and dad and his Hull graduate girlfriend Sarah Gurling. He also thanked Diana:

"Diana was very supportive of me throughout this campaign." He said, "She carries a lot of weight in the party in Yorkshire and the Humber and I am very grateful for all that she did."

Charles and Diana are now looking forward to working together with the whole party gearing up for the next General Election which could be as close as two years away.

"Clearly we have to get the message across to the whole country that only the Liberal Democrats and our new leader are the true bastions of social justice, liberty and fairness." Diana said, "I am looking forward to campaigning with Charles in the Yorkshire region and to winning more seats at the next General Election."

• Charles Kennedy was elected leader after receiving a majority of first preference votes and a majority of transferred votes later in the count.

• Diana Wallis welcomed Charles Kennedy to the region on a number of occasions during the campaign.