2021 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election

The 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was triggered on 12 July 2021 after incumbent leader Willie Rennie announced his intention to step down as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats following the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

2021 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election

← 2011 20 July – 20 August 2021 (2021-07-20 – 2021-08-20)
 
Candidate Alex Cole-Hamilton
Popular vote Unopposed

Leader before election

Alistair Carmichael (acting)
Willie Rennie

Elected Leader

Alex Cole-Hamilton

On 27 July, Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton announced his intention to run for leader. He stated that he wanted to offer an "alternative kind of thinking" to what he described as "the Scottish nationalism of the SNP and the British nationalism of Boris Johnson's Brexiteers".[1]

Throughout the election, Deputy Leader (MP for Orkney and Shetland) served as Interim Leader.

Candidates

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Only sitting MSPs may seek nominations to become leader, with Cole-Hamilton the only one to announce their candidacy. The party's executive stated its aim to conduct the election before Holyrood returns from its summer recess.[2]

Nominations for the election opened on 20 July and closed on 20 August.[3]

As only Cole-Hamilton announced his candidacy for the leadership,[4] he was declared the leader of the party on 20 August.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ Davidson, Gina (27 July 2021). "Alex Cole-Hamilton to stand as candidate for Scottish Lib Dem leader". The Scotsman. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Willie Rennie to stand down as Scottish Lib Dem leader". BBC News. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  3. ^ Media Team (20 July 2021). "Scottish Liberal Democrats open nominations for new party leader". Scottish Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  4. ^ Staff reporter (20 August 2021). "Cole-Hamilton set to be confirmed as new Scottish Lib Dems leader". Holyrood. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ Media Team (20 August 2021). "Alex Cole-Hamilton is the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats". Scottish Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Alex Cole-Hamilton confirmed as new Lib Dem leader". BBC News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

See also

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