LONDON, March 2 (UPI) -- Sir Menzies Campbell, a leading figure of Britain's anti-war movement, was declared the new leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Thursday.
The veteran foreign affairs spokesman won a decisive victory with the support of 58 percent of party members in the final round, beating Party President Simon Hughes and Economic Affairs Spokesman Chris Huhne.
Speaking after his victory was announced, Campbell said he would modernize the party and lead it back towards government at the next general election.
In an attempt to dismiss suggestions that at the age of 64, he would be more of a stabilizing caretaker leader than an innovator, Campbell said he was ready to take risks and challenge the party.
"A safe pair of hands yes, but ready to take risks," he said. "Ready to challenge orthodoxy, and to challenge the party too."
He said the party would champion civil liberties and democratic values, challenge the secrecy and unaccountability that shrouded central government and promote environmental protection and internationalism.
Under his leadership three-party politics would become a reality, he added.
Campbell, a former Olympic champion and international lawyer, is noted for his staunch opposition to the war in Iraq and to controversial policies in the war on terror, such as the U.S. practice of extraordinary rendition and the detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay.
After the announcement, Hughes hailed Campbell as "an unqualified, principled voice for liberal democracy, respected at home and abroad" under whose leadership the party would go from strength to strength.
Huhne said the contest had shown that the Liberal Democrats were the most united party in British politics around key issues that mattered to the country, such as the international rule of law, the environment and civil liberties.
The Liberal Democrats currently hold 63 seats in the British Parliament and command some 22 percent of the popular vote.
