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The former Liberal Democrat leader, who resigned on Wednesday, said he was “passionate” about defending the “rights and liberties” of those who rally behind opposing views. In his
resignation speech, shown on Sky News, Mr Farron said: “I’m a liberal to my fingertips, and that liberalism means that I am passionate about defending the rights and liberties of people who
believe different things to me.” Mr Farron, 47, claimed he was "proud" of the progress his party had made under his leadership, with membership doubling since 2015. "Against
all the odds, the Liberal Democrats matter again,” he said. "We can be proud of the progress we have made together, although there is much more we need to do. "My successor will
inherit a party that is needed now more than ever before. Our future as an open, tolerant and united country is at stake. "The cause of British liberalism has never been needed more.
People who will fight for a Britain that is confident, generous and compassionate are needed more than ever before. "That is the challenge our party and my successor faces and the
opportunity I am certain that they will rise to." The ex party leader had claimed that his party could benefit from a backlash against last year's European Union referendum result,
among Remain supporters. POLITICS PROFESSOR CLAIMS TORY MPS WILL NOT ACCEPT SOFT BREXIT His push emphasised the Lib Dems were the most enthusiastic pro-Brussels party and promised a re-run
of the referendum in an attempt to reverse Brexit. But the strategy backfired, with the Lib Dem vote share dropping by 0.5 points to 7.4 per cent compared with the 2015 general election. The
party also suffered the humiliation of seeing former leader Nick Clegg ousted from his Sheffield Hallam seat on election night. Mr Farron added he resigned because he wanted to “stay
faithful to Christ”. RELATED ARTICLES He said: “There are Christians in politics who take the view that they should impose the tenets of faith on society, but I have not taken that approach
because I disagree with it - it's not liberal and it is counterproductive when it comes to advancing the gospel. “Even so, I seem to be the subject of suspicion because of what I
believe and who my faith is in. “In which case we are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society. “That's why I have chosen to step down as leader of the
Liberal Democrats."