Nominations closed this afternoon for the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Former Health Minister Norman Lamb and former party President Tim Farron have put themselves forward.

The next leader of the party will be announced on 16 July and will be voted for by party members.

This comes as membership hits more than 61,000, with over 16,500 new members since polling day. All new members, who joined by 4pm today, are eligible to vote in the election.

The timetable for the leadership election is as follows:

Tim Farron MP said:

“I am deeply honoured to have been nominated by so many colleagues to stand to be the next leader of our party.  I will continue to try and run a positive and outward looking campaign.

“My campaign message is clear – we need to rebuild the party from the grassroots, campaign on the issues that matter – human rights, the environment, building a new economy and a fairer and more equal society.

“I believe we must reach out to the millions of people who are liberal in outlook and turn them into Liberal Democrats.”

Norman Lamb MP said:

“This in many ways is a liberal age. There are so many people who share our liberal values, but don’t identify themselves as Liberal Democrats.  We have to connect with them and show that our party really represents their values.

“This vast number of people – now over 16,500 – who joined the party have joined it knowing what we are about, having seen our work in government, and were distressed to see the damage that the party has suffered as a result of the election.

“I want our party to be a consistent and clear voice standing up for the sort of liberal society that we want to build – where opportunity is equal, where diversity is celebrated and encouraged, and where people have real control over the decisions that affect their lives.”