Simon Hughes

Simon Henry Ward Hughes, (born 17 May 1951, Wales) is a British politician and Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey. He is currently Liberal Democrat frontbench spokesman for London and was elected President of the Liberal Democrats on September 1, 2004 http://www.libdems.org.uk/index.cfm/page.homepage/section.home/article.7396. The party president chairs a number of party committees and also represents the party at official functions.

Related Topics:
17 May - 1951 - Wales - British - Liberal Democrat - Member of Parliament - North Southwark and Bermondsey - London - September 1 - 2004

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Hughes was first elected to Parliament in the Bermondsey by-election of February 24, 1983. As part of the SDP-Liberal Alliance, Hughes was spokesman for the environment from 1983 to 1988. Along with the majority of Liberals, he joined the newly founded Liberal Democrats in 1988, acting as spokesman for education until 1992, then the environment again until 1994, then health until 1997, and then home affairs until 2003. He campaigned in the 2004 Mayor of London elections and came in third with 15.22% of the first preference vote.

Related Topics:
Bermondsey by-election - February 24 - 1983 - SDP-Liberal Alliance - 1988 - Liberals - Liberal Democrats - 1992 - 1994 - 1997 - 2003 - 2004 Mayor of London elections

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That first election is remembered by some as "the dirtiest and most notorious byelection in British political history" because of the slurs against the character of the Labour candidate Peter Tatchell. Hughes' supporters were accused of joining in some attacks on Tatchell but the slurs are thought to have come from a 'Real Labour' candidate backed by the former Labour MP, Bob Mellish.

Related Topics:
Labour - Peter Tatchell

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He is currently Liberal Democrat Party President and Liberal Democrat Shadow Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

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Hughes was born in Cheshire and attended Selwyn College, Cambridge and the College of Europe. He worked as a barrister in London and moved to Bermondsey in 1981.

Related Topics:
Cheshire - Selwyn College, Cambridge - College of Europe - Barrister - London - Bermondsey - 1981

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