New Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson issues plea for rivals to join party and ‘stop Brexit’ in victory speech

JO Swinson issued a “come and join us” plea to Tory and Labour MPs yesterday after being unveiled as the first ever female leader of the Lib Dems.

She romped to victory over rival Sir Ed Davey - winning nearly two thirds of the members’ votes in the race to replace outgoing boss Sir Vince Cable.

And the new chief immediately declared: “As your leader, I will do whatever it takes to stop Brexit.”

Ms Swinson used her victory speech to make a direct appeal to disaffected Tory MPs who want to stop Brexit and also to Labour moderates who despair at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

She wants more to follow Chuka Umunna in joining the party.

Ms Swinson also hinted she would be prepared to take the Lib Dems back into coalition, saying: “This is the time for working together, not the time for tribalism.”

'WE CAN STOP BREXIT'

The new Lib Dem leader said: ”My message to MPs in other parties, who share our values is this:

“If you believe our country deserves better, that we can stop Brexit, that we can stop Johnson, Farage and Corbyn, then work with us, join us. My door is always open.”

She added: “The answer is simple. Come, join us. Let’s do this. Let’s do this together.

“Let’s change politics so that we can transform our country.”

But rival parties immediately hit back at Ms Swinson’s bid to steal their MPs.

Labour chairman Ian Lavery took aim at her time as a junior minister in the Coalition government, saying: “Jo Swinson sat at the top table of the coalition government and voted for vicious attacks on the most vulnerable and tax cuts for the super-rich and big businesses.

“Austerity couldn’t have happened without Liberal Democrats – leading to shocking levels of child poverty, the tripling of tuition fees, a homelessness crisis and rising food bank use.”

And the SNP’s Mhairi Black said: “Jo Swinson was one of the most enthusiastic cheerleaders for the Tory coalition government.

“She must move quickly to apologise for the devastating cuts she imposed, and rule out any future Tory pact - if she wants anyone to believe the Lib Dems have changed their ways.”

BOUNCE BACK

Ms Swinson said the Lib Dems - who were all-but wiped out in the 2015 General Election following five years of Coalition - said her party should now be aiming to win the next General Election.

The party bounced back this year by recording its best ever local election results and winning 20 per cent in the European elections in May.

As bookies said there was a 10/1 chance of her becoming PM, she declared: “I stand before you today, not as just as the leader of the Liberal Democrats, but as a candidate for Prime Minister.

“There is no limit to my ambition for our party and for our movement.

“I am ready to take our party into a general election and win it.”

Ms Swinson became MP for East Dunbartonshire in 2005 at the age of 25 - she lost her seat in 2015, but won it back again two years ago and became the party’s deputy leader.

In the Coalition years, she was a junior Business Minister - sparking a backlash from leftie allies who accuse her of propping up the Tories.

The new Lib Dems leader is married to Duncan Hames, a former MP, and the couple have two young children.

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