In one of the most closely contested elections at the MRS to date, Lidington received 380 votes to Sopp's 345.
Lidington said: "I'm delighted and very proud to be elected. Under my leadership the MRA will focus on two key issues; bringing research into the limelight, making it more sexy and promoting it properly.
"Secondly, with changes in research and new methods of data collection, trying to help the industry to create a more fitting vision to how it is now."
Sopp has been given a position on the council along with three new members; Research International board director Susan Blackall, Post Office customer research head Crispin Beale and Rogers International founder Susan Rogers.
The new 2006/2007 council will be effective from April 1.
Jeremy Bullmore remains president and Eamonn Santry is vice president.
The news comes a week after members of the British Market Research Association voted in favour of merging its services into the MRS to create a united industry body.
The motion was carried by a majority of 29 votes, with 62 out of 95 voting BMRA members in favour of the integration.
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