THE LibDems have elected their first-ever female leader in what was a landslide victory for Jo Swinson.

The former minister trounced ex-cabinet member Sir Ed Davey in the battle to replace Sir Vince Cable and insisted she now has a realistic chance to be Prime Minister.

However, the SNP said the East Dunbartonshire MP would have to apologise for the damaging cuts she made in coalition with the Tories, and rule out any future Tory pact, if she wants anyone to believe the “Tory-lite party” has changed its ways.

Swinson, who had been the bookies’ favourite to take the party crown, beat Davey by 47,997 votes to 28,021 in a ballot of party members which had a 72% turnout.

Swinson, who has served as Cable’s deputy since June 2017, said she was “delighted, honoured, absolutely over the moon” to become the party’s first female leader.

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She pledged to do “whatever it takes to stop Brexit” and promised to lead not only the party but also the “bigger, open liberal movement our country so desperately needs”.

Swinson said: “Tomorrow, Boris Johnson is likely to take the keys to Number 10 and set us on a path to a damaging no-deal Brexit.

“Stopping Boris, and stopping Brexit is my number one priority as leader. That job starts with winning the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election to bring Jane Dodds to Parliament, cut Johnson’s wafer-thin majority and take us a step closer to stopping Brexit.”

Swinson triumphed at a time when the LibDems are enjoying a revival due to their outspoken opposition to Brexit. The party has 12 MPs – bolstered by Chuka Umunna’s decision to join last month – and came second in the European elections, winning 20% of the vote share. The party has also enjoyed a surge in local elections in response to their anti-Brexit stance.

However, the LibDems continue to struggle in Scotland, and SNP MP Mhairi Black MP 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 LibDems have changed their ways.

“People haven’t forgotten that it was the LibDems who trebled university tuition fees to £9,000-a-year, scrapped the Education Maintenance Allowance, introduced the bedroom tax, imposed the cap on public sector pay, and the damaging cuts to social security for disabled people.

“While the SNP has consistently opposed Tory cuts, the LibDems enabled the worst of them – pushing millions of people into poverty and inequality and forcing families to rely on food banks and emergency aid to feed their children.

“Everyone knows the LibDems can’t be trusted. They would go into coalition all over again in exchange for ministerial salaries and benefits. People in Scotland haven’t forgotten, which is why the Tory-lite party is still tanking in the polls and have been stuck in a distant fourth place for almost a decade.

“The SNP will always stand up for Scotland, which is why people continue to put their trust in us in government and at Westminster.”

Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie said: “Jo Swinson is the fresh, positive new leader who will take the Liberal Democrats to greater heights by reaching out to new groups of voters and building on the success of recent elections.

“Jo provides a stark contrast between the indecisive Jeremy Corbyn and chaotic Boris Johnson and will lead the country away from the forces of populism and nationalism.

“Jo is not tribal and will work with others to stop Brexit, stop independence and build a country that is richer, cleaner and greener.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP Davey served as energy secretary in David Cameron’s coalition government.

He tweeted: “Huge congratulations @joswinson – you will be a great leader to take our message of hope, respect and love for others across the country and build a Liberal Britain. Thanks to @vincecable for taking us to this point; thanks to my supporters and team. You’ve all been incredible.”

Chuka Umunna, the former Labour and Change UK MP who joined the party in June, tweeted: “Jo Swinson commands 100% support from LibDem parliamentarians and leads a united party committed to stopping Brexit!”

Former leader Sir Nick Clegg said: “In the up and down history of the LibDems, there can be few times when opportunities abound as much as they do today. And Jo Swinson has all the gifts and skills to take full advantage of them.

“The Brexit crisis has revealed a profound split between openness and insularity in Britain – and Jo has expressed the hopes of millions in speaking up for an open, tolerant Britain. “Her voice will only grow in importance in the years ahead.”