Instant reaction to new Conservative leader

Politicians have been reacting to the election of David Cameron as Conservative Party leader.

Labour's former general election co-ordinator Fraser Kemp said: "David Cameron is a Conservative and stands for Conservative values.

"He has always chosen public spending cuts over investment in public services and opposed policies such as the New Deal and tax credits.

"The Tories are putting a new gloss on the same old policy of cuts. By applying a third fiscal rule - the proceeds of growth rule - the Tories would cut £12bn from public spending this year, and £17bn next year.

"Voters know the Tories have deserted the centre ground of British politics and show no real understanding of how to move forward.

"By contrast, it is the strong leadership of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown which has delivered low interest rates, low inflation, more jobs and a record period of stability and growth.

"We have a strong, experienced team delivering across government, who can be trusted to take the tough decisions for the long term to invest and reform our public services."

Lib Dems

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat president, said: "We obviously congratulate David Cameron on his election, but he is now the fourth Tory leader in just four years.

"The Conservatives' problem is not their salesman - it's their product.

"Mr Cameron has yet to set out many detailed policy initiatives but we do know he wrote the Conservative manifesto for the 2005 general election.

"We know he is a convinced anti-European, a keen supporter of tuition fees and is likely to back the government on nuclear power.

"If that is the definition of modern Conservatism, they will continue to struggle to emerge from the political wilderness."

SNP

SNP leader Alex Salmond said: "With David Cameron as leader the anti-Scottish Tories have gone back to the future by dressing up a blue blooded old Etonian as new age.

"The great, great, great, great, great grandson of William IV has as much relevance to modern Scotland as horse drawn carriages and snuff boxes."

Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, also welcomed David Cameron to his new post.

"It's refreshing to see a young person taking on the role, but I wonder whether a fresh face means a fresh approach," he said.

"The Conservative Party is in meltdown at the moment and only time will tell how the latest leader gets on with things."

UKIP

The UK Independence Party claimed the Tories had confirmed its determination to "ditch serious policy for a Blairite policy vacuum based on personality".

Leader Roger Knapman said Cameron's "only declared policy appears to be to beat Labour, amounted to suicide by policy vacuum".

Knapman said: "The Tories fundamental problem since 1997 is that the Labour Party have adopted and implemented the main planks of Tory policy, leaving successive Conservative leaders with nowhere to go.

"Mr Cameron is very good at highlighting the problems, but has yet to outline potential solutions. Meanwhile, his 'will he, won't he' plan to withdraw the Conservatives from the EPP-ED group in the European parliament is set to fracture the uneasy alliance between his own MEPs.

"It is difficult to believe that he can revive the fortunes of the Conservative Party on a platform which is essentially to be more Blairite than Blair."

Welsh Conservatives

Nick Bourne, the leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, welcomed the election of Cameron.

"I am truly delighted at this result. David Cameron's election as leader is a watershed for the Conservative Party," he said.

"He represents the opportunity for a fresh start, building on recent success but also re-assessing the Conservatives' approach to important issues in a 21st century context.

"I firmly believe that David is the man our political opponents fear most.

"He has emerged from a very strong field of candidates, all of whom I hope will play key roles in the future of our party and in the next Conservative government.

"I am convinced that David has the broad appeal to both unite the party and to put us back to winning ways at Westminster.

"I am confident that under David Cameron we will continue to broaden our appeal across the country and reach out to people from all sections of British society in a way we have not done in the past."

London Tories

Leader of the Conservatives in the London assembly Bob Neill said: "I would like to congratulate David Cameron on his victory. I am confident he will be a superb party leader.

"He recognises the importance London must play in rebuilding the party's fortunes and I know he has the desire and ability to reach out and address Londoners' concerns."