Surbiton MP Ed Davey has become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Sir Ed beat fellow MP Layla Moran with almost twice the number of votes from party members.

He secured 42,756 votes (63.5 per cent) to Ms Moran’s 24,564 (36.5 per cent).

Sir Ed, who has been acting head of the party since the resignation of Jo Swinson after she lost her seat in last year’s general election, said: “I am so proud to lead the party that I love. I am determined to rebuild our party, and fight for a greener, fairer and more caring society.”

The MP, who has been a member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton since 2017, and before that from 1997 to 2015, said it was time for the Lib Dems to “wake up and smell the coffee” after only securing 12 per cent of the vote in the last general election. He said the party had to change; nationally it had lost touch with too many voters.

“Yes, we are powerful advocates locally, our campaigners listen to local people, work hard for communities and deliver results, but at the national level we have to face the facts of three disappointing general election results.

“Nationally, voters have been sending us a message but we have not been listening. It is time for us to start listening,” he said.

“As leader, I have got that message; it is time for us to start listening now.”

This was Sir Ed’s second attempt to win the Liberal Democrats’ leadership.

This time round, he persuaded party members that his years of experience in Parliament, and in government as the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under the Cameron-Clegg coalition, should be looked on as an advantage.

He will lead the Lib Dems’ 11 MPs and the party’s wider membership.