Simon Hughes, MP for Southwark and Old Bermondsey has announced his intention to stand for the position of Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
From his campaign flyer:
Labour have made it clear they want to rewrite history, ignoring the reality of their time in office. They claim to be the only home for progressive voters. I will not let them get away with it.
My experience representing an inner city constituency tells a different story: of too many broken promises and too many people failing to reach their potential. I am convinced that progressive liberal policy and values provide the best solution.
I will champion our democratically agreed policy and elected representatives at all levels. I will ensure that Liberal Democrat ministers, of whom we are all proud, never forget they are our representatives in government.
I have built my profile as a spokesman for the party in the national media for 30 years. I am determined to make sure that our distinctive Liberal Democrat voice is heard loud and clear.
The necessities of coalition government must never mean that we are muffled or crowded out.
I will make sure all Liberal Democrat parliamentarians, assembly members, councillors, activists and members have maximum influence over this government. I will make sure that every Liberal Democrat MP will have the chance to influence our ministers, and feel able to speak out on all issues of concern to them.
Before anything else, I am a Liberal Democrat activist.
Not only have I fought and won elections against Labour in inner London, but I have travelled all over Britain at many general elections, by-elections and local elections, motivating activists, raising money and making sure our voice is heard right across the country.
We will continue to fight and win elections against the Conservatives, Labour, nationalists and others. Crucial to this, we
must remain just as effective as community champions now that our party is in government. Knocking on doors, helping local
residents and changing our communities for the better are at the core of everything we do.I will never forget that.
Former Deputy Leader Vince Cable is backing Simon:
Simon has given the most phenomenal service to the party over his 27 years as an MP. He represents the best traditions of the Liberal Democrats, both as a parliamentary campaigner and community activist.
He is the person best placed to follow me as Deputy Leader, and to uphold the values of our party.
The support of 5 MPs is required for a valid nomination. Simon says he already has pledges of support from 25 Liberal Democrat MPs. In this election, an overall majority requires the votes of 29 MPs.
33 Comments
He’d have my vote š
I am sure Simon will make another great speech this morning but I cant see how his election would say anything new to the voters.
On a more general point, we have been sneering at Labour ( well I have anyway) for the failure to nominate Dianne Abott. We cant even get a woman to stand apparently.
Its not too late for a woman to stand, but there isn’t one who immediately comes to mind as being a champion of the left and another orangebooker would be a disaster. I am personally delighted that Simon is standing. I hope he will help keep the party together but more importantly challenge some of the more ridiculous shananigins of the coalition. Anyway to avoid repeating myself have said more about it all on my blog.
@paul – sadly many of our female PPCs didn’t get elected, and as it shouldn’t be someone with a ministerial role that does rather limit choice…
I wish people would stop using “Orange Booker” as some sort of insult
Excellent news. Simon’s thoughtful, non-sectarian approach to the post-election situation, his experience and the mutual respect felt between him and the wider party makes him a really good choice.
Andrea Gill – it’s a badge of honour š
Most politial names were originally insults – “Whig”, “Tory” to name but two.
Andrea: “I wish people would stop using āOrange Bookerā as some sort of insult.”
I absolutely agree.
In regards Simon Hughes, he would be an excellent Deputy Leader. He understands the party, is a sound intellectual liberal and has the necessary experience. As someone’s pointed out, he isn’t “new” and I for one would prefer the Lib Dems to select someone for the future. I would also prefer a woman for equality reasons, and/or a Scot to provide a Scottish dimension to a federal party whose relationship with the Tories isn’t too popular up here! (Come on Jo Swinson, put yourself forward!)
But he has tremendous attributes. Both he and Tim Farron are tremendous assets to the party who are more than capable of fulfilling the role. Agreed that having to select from those who don’t have ministerial roles limits choice, but Simon and Tim are eidence of the enormous talent we have in our parliamentary party aside from ministers.
“Most politial names were originally insults ā āWhigā, āToryā to name but two.”
And “Prime Minister”.
Seconded, thirded and fourthed. I’d also like it if people would stop linking those who contributed to some notional “right wing”, economic liberalism isn’t right wing, and regardless, some of the best stuff in the Orange Book was from people acknowledged as on the notional ‘left’.
I’ve never been that impressed by Simon, and the above statement doesn’t change my mind. In the absence of Jo, I’d like to see Tim Farron of those currently declared.
Simon Hughes has been a tremendous ambassador for our party.
He must have held pretty much every position going too.
I think it is time for some new blood. If further evidence is required about Tim Farron’s campaigning skills then look to today’s council results in Kendal – a clean sweep for the Lib Dems 28 seats.
Andrea – I am quite sure I did not use the term “orangebooker” as a term of insult, rather as a statement of fact although I am sure some would regard it as a term of endearment!
I have agreat deal of respect for Simon and all that he has done for the party, but if it is a choice between him and Tim I would choose Tim this time.
Simon’s instincts are a balance for the party – his powerful and moving speech at the Birmingham Conference showed that he has lost none of his oratorical powers. These will be much needed when it comes towards major elections, and even more so as the next General Election approaches.
Orange Booker might not be an insult but it is unquestionable that the Orange Bookers were the driving force of the coalition agreement, and are far more comfortable in coalition with the Tories than the left of the party.
I was heartened to hear that Ming Campbell will rebel if whipped to abstain on a vote on tuition fees; hopefully many others will follow his example. We need to force through our full agenda on capital gains tax too as an issue of conscience and fairness. I was very pleased to see Vince Cable resolute in the face of the Tory rightwing headbangers! The Tories are powerless without us and will just have to swallow their pride.
This deputy leader position may once have been about administration but now it is a totemic signal of our future as a party. Electing Simon Hughes as a standard bearer would be fantastic.
There is still a substantial body of the party – myself included – who have misgivings about the coalition and how it goes forward. The Deputy Leader now needs to be someone who can reflect these misgivings in Parliament and provide a focus to those who wish the coalition well but fear the worst.
Simon Hughes was an effective President of the party, and someone who the media could turn to as one of our recognised faces in times when we didn’t have that many. Although I know Tim has many talents – particularly campaigning – the Deputy Leader’s roe I don’t believe would allow him to show this to the full, whilst Simon’s experience and commitment to the Party would be perfect for the role.
I wish him well and hope he wins.
KL, I don’t think there’s anybody in the party who doesn’t have misgivings about the coalition š
I’m personally confident that any Liberal Democrat MP who gets elected as Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Party will be sensitive to the concerns of the party membership – though arguably that’s the President’s job really.
So, it’s a contest between Simon Hughes and Simon Hughes – The Next Generation, for those familiar with Tim Farron š
As for Simon’s “effective” term as President… I love him dearly, and voted for him the first time, but his terms as President were such a disaster of unkept promises and policy on the hoof that even if I didn’t prefer a fresh face and admire Tim anyway, I’d be very wary of Simon becoming the party’s *other* deputy. Still, with luck he’ll have nothing to do with any sort of organisational leadership, and be all about inspiration, for which he is still superb!
Kate – have you actually read the Orange Book? Because if you had, you’d know that it had articles written by those well-known right-wing betes-noires Steve Webb, Susan Kramer and Chris Huhne: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Book:_Reclaiming_Liberalism
Tabman, the “Orange Book” was not the sole preserve of the “Orange Bookers”, as you point out.
I think everyone in Liberal Democrat circles understands the difference between a Mark Littlewood and a Steve Webb.
Alex,
I like “policy on the hoof.” Just think how dull the party would be if we agreed with everything our leaders did or said, and had to stick to the party line whatever we thought (careful, better not wind up our new friends at Westminster too much….!)
I’m going to repeat my preference for two deputies so we aren’t forced into a false choice of choosing one individual who will then be used to embody a complete vision of the party through the media (and we know how the media enjoys creating distorted pictures).
One man and one woman would be perfect, but that looks like increasingly unlikely.
Also, for those who wish to criticise the debates developed by the ‘Orange bookers’, please can they tell me what other means we have for redefining liberal democracy for today’s challenges in a coherent way which is consistent with our principles?
I personally don’t think the Orange book was perfect in setting out a complete package, but it did far more than anyone else has done in 20 years since the merger to make us relevant – and who can argue with the result that we now have LibDem ministers in government!
Instead of sniping offer a better alternative.
@Tabman – I shall choose to take it as a badge of honour although I am sure it isn’t always intended that way š
@Oranjepan – “I personally donāt think the Orange book was perfect in setting out a complete package, but it did far more than anyone else has done in 20 years since the merger to make us relevant ā and who can argue with the result that we now have LibDem ministers in government!”
Indeed, and the fact that it was a collaborative effort from different sides of the Liberal Democrat party just goes to show that working together is better than opposing one another.
Talking of which, the quote from Simon’s campaign is disappointing. It shows a continuing fixation with our opponents, rather than with what he himself has to offer.
I like Simon, but he has a track record of using negative and impolitick words at vital moments (and allowing them to be used in his name), which I don’t think is a great qualification for a spokesperson – especially whilst we are in a delicate coalition situation.
Well, I am not worried about Simon sometimes being honest about what he thinks – it may be a rare commodity when others are forced to bite their tongues and swallow their disquiet
Personally I preferred Reinventing the State to the Orange Book. It was an all-round weightier contribution.
http://socialliberal.net/reinventing-the-state/
Brilliant. Here we have an ideal candidate for the job. I’d love Lynne Featherstone to stand as well
Lynne or Sarah could do the job but I agree with others that it really should not be someone inside government. If we are going to hold the party together as best we can through the difficult times that lie ahead, having a leadership team inside and outside government will be critical, and a deputy outside of government is an essential requirement. So currently I’m leaning towards Simon (providing he gets someone to organise him if he’s elected!)
‘providing he gets someone to organise him if heās elected’ š
Tim Farron?
BTW, i hope everyone here remembers that none of us actually gets to vote (except you anonymous MPs… you know who you are!)
Oh and about Simon referring to “your government” in the Commons – today Cameron showed that it’s all just a matter of getting used to it because he himself very nearly slipped into attacking “the Government”… Made me smile – they’re all getting used to being in government! š
Linda Jack, have you ever read the Orange Book? Joe Otten has a very good chapter by chapter summary of it on his blog, with analysis to find out if it is as right wing as you and Labour make it out to be.
“I am sure Simon will make another great speech this morning but I can’t see how his election would say anything new to the voters.”
Concealed ageism, I suggest. Mind you, that mistake can be made either way round. It was a howler for the Tories to watch Blair trounce two older opponents to get the Labour leadership, and to conclude that what they needed for 2001 was boy Hague with his baseball cap. It was also a mistake for us to pay exaggerated respect to a long and distinguished career when we plumped for Ming Campbell.
It’s a cliche that youth brings innovation and energy while age brings wisdom, but, more often than not, it fits the facts. Well, we have a young, energetic, male, right-of-centre leader. I understand why some would want to balance the maleness, and some would want to balance the “Orange Book” tendency. I think there is also a case for balancing youth and age.