Simon Hughes.

Simon Henry Ward Hughes (born 17 May 1951) is a British politician and Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey. He has twice run unsuccessfully for the leadership of the party and was its unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of London in 2004. He is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader to the House of Commons and has been President of the Liberal Democrats since September 1, 2004. The party president chairs a number of party committees and also represents the party at official functions. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... North Southwark & Bermondsey is a Parliamentary Constituency in the House of Commons, created in 1997. ... Ken Livingstone, the current Mayor of London The Mayor of London is an elected politician in London, United Kingdom. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life and pre-parliamentary career

Hughes was born in Cheshire, England and partly brought up in Wales. He attended Christ College, Brecon, Selwyn College, Cambridge where he graduated with a 2:1 in Law and the College of Europe. Hughes was called to the bar (Inner Temple) in 1974. He moved to Bermondsey in 1981. Cheshire (or, archaically, the County of Chester)[1] is a county in North West England. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total... Christ College a co-educational independent boarding and day school, located in the market town of Brecon, mid Wales. ... Full name Selwyn College Motto ΑΝΔΡΙΖΕΣΘΕ Quit ye like men Named after George Augustus Selwyn Previous names - Established 1882 Sister College(s) Keble College, Oxford Master Prof. ... The College of Europe is an independent university institute of postgraduate European studies with campuses in Bruges, Belgium and Natolin (Warsaw), Poland. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Combined coat of arms of the four Inns of Court. ... , Bermondsey is an area of south London in the London Borough of Southwark. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

Bermondsey

Hughes was first elected to Parliament in the Bermondsey by-election of February 24, 1983. The byelection was described by Gay News as "the dirtiest and most notorious byelection in British political history" because of the slurs against the character of the Labour candidate and gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell by various opposition campaigners. The Liberal Campaign leaflet described Hughes as the "straight choice". Hughes won the seat with 57.7% of the vote. He apologised for the campaign in 2006 during the same few days that he revealed his own homosexual experiences and said that he is in fact bisexual.^[1] Mr Hughes told the BBC's Newsnight programme: "I hope that there will never be that sort of campaign again. I have never been comfortable about the whole of that campaign, as Peter knows, and I said that to him in the past . . . Where there were things that were inappropriate or wrong, I apologise for that."^[2] The Bermondsey byelection of February 24, 1983 occurred after the resignation of Robert Mellish, who had represented the constituency and its predecessors since 1946. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Gay News was a pioneering fortnightly newspaper in the United Kingdom founded in June 1972 in a collaboration between the Gay Liberation Front and the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the principal political party of the left in England, Scotland and Wales. ... LGBT rights Around the world By country History · Groups · Activists Declaration of Montreal Same-sex relationships Marriage · Adoption Opposition · Discrimination Violence This box:      Peter Gary Tatchell (born 25 January 1952) is an Australian-British human rights activist, who is best known internationally for his attempts to perform a citizens...

Hughes gained a poor election result in North Southwark & Bermondsey in the 2005 general election. He held the seat, but the Labour Party saw a 5.9% swing in their favour — the biggest swing to Labour anywhere in the UK. When interviewed on election night television by Jeremy Paxman, Hughes suggested that the fall in his vote might reflect the unpopularity of Southwark Borough Council, which has been controlled by the Liberal Democrats since 2002. North Southwark & Bermondsey is a Parliamentary Constituency in the House of Commons, created in 1997. ... The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in London, England. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Political and parliamentary career

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 was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2004 Mayor of London elections and came in third with 15.22% of the first preference vote. The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance of the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party in the UK that ran from 1981 to 1988, when the bulk of the two parties merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, later referred to as simply the Liberal Democrats. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The latest election to the post of Mayor of London took place on June 10, 2004. ...

On his proudest achievement in parliament since 1997: "A young man called Jamie Robe was kicked to death in Rotherhithe in August 1998. Using my community links I helped break the wall of silence, encourage witnesses to give evidence, and secure convictions." Hughes had to receive police protection following death threats linked to his advocacy for the family of Jamie Robe. The episode became an ITV1 drama, with actor Robin Kermode portraying Hughes. St Olavs, Rotherhithes Norwegian church. ...

Among other party offices, Hughes is Vice-President of the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum. He is on record as being a supporter of a Devolved English Parliament. A devolved English Parliament, giving separate decision-making powers to representatives for voters in England similar to the representation given by the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly, is currently an issue in British politics. ...

Leadership election 2006

Main article: Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2006

On January 12, 2006 Hughes announced his candidacy in the Leadership Election triggered by the resignation of Charles Kennedy. He had initially delayed any announcement while carrying out Presidential responsibilities in drawing up the timetable for the contest. Chris Huhne, Sir Menzies Campbell and Simon Hughes at the hustings at the Friends Meeting House in London on 23 February 2006. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Charles Peter Kennedy (born 25 November 1959), is a British politician who was the leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third largest political party in the United Kingdom, from 9 August 1999 until 7 January 2006. ...

Speaking to reporters he said: "What I have to offer is my ambition, enthusiasm and passion.... What I have to offer is my experience over many years in Parliament and campaigning around the country to motivate people to join us." ^[3]

After revelation about Hughes' long rumoured sexuality^[4], which came four days after Mark Oaten resigned from the Liberal Democrat front bench and gave up on the leadership race, Peter Tatchell confirmed his view that, despite the 1983 Bermondsey incidents: "I hope Simon is elected as party leader because of all the contenders he is the most progressive on human rights, social justice and environmental issues."^[5] Mark Oaten Mark Oaten (born 8 March 1964, Watford) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom, and Member of Parliament for the Winchester constituency. ... In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. ...

Mr Hughes apologised after his outing by The Sun, saying "I gave a reply that wasn't untrue but was clearly misleading and I apologise."^[6]. He also admitted during the Question Time leadership candidate debate on BBC1 on 9 February that he hadn't handled the matter very well.^[7] Andreas Whittam Smith characterized Mr Hughes as a "shameless liar," and said he profoundly hoped that he will fail in his attempt to lead the Liberal Democrats.^[8] // While outing often refers to an outdoor excursion, in the late twentieth century, the term acquired an additional meaning, taking someone out of the closet, that is, publicising that someone is secretly homosexual. ... Look up sun in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Question Time is a topical debate television programme in the United Kingdom, based on Any Questions?. It is currently shown on BBC One at 22:35 on Thursdays, and typically features politicians from the three major political parties and other public figures who answer questions put to them by the... BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest United Kingdom, and indeed, the world. ... Andreas Whittam Smith CBE, (born 13 June 1937), British financial journalist, was one of the co-founders of The Independent newspaper in October 1986, and is a former president of the British Board of Film Classification. ...

Simon Hughes campaigned under the rubric of 'Freedom, fairness and sustainability.'^[9] His manifesto was also released in pdf format, and was available from his campaign website^[10]. Of the three candidates in the contest, he was generally considered the most leftwing. For example, he said in his manifesto that "Britain has become less, not more fair, in recent years. Few people would have expected the Tories to deliver a fair society. But more might have hoped that a Labour government would deliver fairness. The reality has been bitterly disappointing. Inequalities in health have increased under Labour, not decreased." Rubric can refer to: In typography, rubric refers to a section of red text In academia, rubric is a grading scheme In liturgy, rubric refers to instructions indicating actions to be performed rather than words to be said A rubric is also an authoritative rule, an explanatory or introductory commentary... Look up manifesto in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... “Leftism” redirects here. ...

The campaign was marked by a series of hustings around the UK. One was held in Edinburgh^[11] where Hughes stressed his human rights and Green friendly background; another in Manchester^[12], where Chris Huhne rebutted criticism from Sir Menzies Campbell that his call for a hike in petrol duty would harm people living in rural areas dependent on using their cars. The final hustings was held in London on February 23, 2006^[13]. The timeline of events in the Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2006 lists the events covering the period from Charles Kennedys initial call for a leadership election with the Liberal Democrats to the conclusion of the Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2006. ... Husting (Old English: hiesting; Old Norwegian: hzesthing), the thing or ting, i. ... , Edinburgh (() pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... Green politics or Green ideology is the ideology of the Green Parties, mainly informed by environmentalism, ecosophy and sustainable economics and aimed at developing a sustainable society. ... Manchester shown within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state United Kingdom Constituent country England Region North West England Ceremonial county Greater Manchester Admin HQ Manchester City Centre Founded 13th Century City Status 1853 Government  - Type Metropolitan borough, City  - Governing body Manchester City Council Area  - Borough & City 115. ... Christopher Murray Paul Huhne, known as Chris Huhne, (born 2 July 1954) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire. ... The Right Honourable Sir Walter Menzies Campbell (born May 22, 1941) is a Scottish barrister and the Liberal Democrat member of Parliament for North East Fife. ... A fuel tax (also known as a petrol tax, gasoline tax, gas tax or fuel duty) is a sales tax imposed on the sale of fuel. ... Husting (Old English: hiesting; Old Norwegian: hzesthing), the thing or ting, i. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

He said he was proud to have played some part in the success of the LibDems across the country.^[14]

In the final result, Hughes came third in the ballot of party members - with 12,081 votes - behind Campbell and Huhne.

Personal life

Outside politics Hughes is a noted supporter of Millwall football club, which is based in his constituency. He also enjoys theatre, and is an active Christian. One of his elder brothers died of malaria. Millwall Football Club are an English professional football team based at the New Den Stadium in Bermondsey, South East London. ... Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who...

Hughes has never married, although in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2006, he said he had been turned down by 'several women'. He also denied persistent rumours about his sexuality, when asked if he was gay, saying "The answer is no, as it happens, but if it were the case, which it isn't, I hope that it would not be an issue." Two days later, in an interview [1] with The Independent he again denied that he was gay, and later in an interview with The Guardian he repeated the denial [2]. This article concerns the British newspaper. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Independent is a British compact newspaper published by Tony OReillys Independent News & Media. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ...

However, on January 26, 2006, after The Sun newspaper told him that they had proof that he had used a gay chat service known as 'Man Talk' Hughes admitted that in the past he had had relationships with both women and men.[3]. He said he had revealed the truth when it became apparent that not doing so was not stopping rumours '[I] was overly defensive last week. That was a mistake. I did it and I was trying to make sure that even in the circumstances of potentially standing as leader of the party — or for high office — that private life was private. It was clear even afterwards that the question from colleagues and the Press and elsewhere was not going to go away.' [4]. He said his sexuality should not prevent him becoming leader, saying, "It would be very sad if people who have always been single or who are homosexual felt that their sexuality prevented them from holding high office. I hope that my party and the great majority of the British public would agree with that." is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

"It is not just me. There are lots of people who have tried to keep their private lives private. I wasn’t just doing it for me but for many others who are in the same boat," said Mr Hughes.

Hughes seems to have made the classic non-denial denial. Referring to his change from previous denials about his sexuality and recent Liberal Democrat difficulties he said, "I hope that any colleague in any party at any time who might not have been entirely honest for good reason or who may have made a mistake is accepted back at the right time." and also "I gave a reply that wasn't untrue but was clearly misleading. I apologise." He confirmed to PinkNews.co.uk that he is bisexual. Non-denial denial is a term for a particular kind of equivocation; specifically, an apparent denial that appears to be direct, clearcut and unambiguous when heard, but on further examination is not a denial at all. ... In human sexuality, bisexuality describes a man or woman having a sexual orientation to persons of either or both sexes (a man or woman who sexually likes both sexes; people who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to both males and females). ...

In an interview broadcast on the same day on BBC Radio 5 Live, he was asked if he considered quitting the race for leadership of his party, he replied: “Of course. I considered also whether I should stand in the first place. It is a balance I have always had to take." BBC Radio Five Live is the radio service providing live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries. ...

Trevor Kavanagh, associate editor of The Sun, said Mr Hughes had decided to speak about his sexuality only after being confronted with "pretty incontrovertible" evidence (in the form of credit card records^{[citation needed]}) that he had phoned the gay chat line ManTalk. This article is about a British tabloid. ...

Hughes has been accused of hypocrisy due to the homophobic campaigning against Peter Tatchell during the by-election in Bermondsey in 1983, which Hughes won, although candidates in by-elections have less controlof the campaign than usual as the party's management controls the campaign directly, Hughes was more than happy at the time to use whatever was at his disposal. A protest by The Westboro Baptist Church; a group identified by the Anti-Defamation League as virulently homophobic. ... LGBT rights Around the world By country History · Groups · Activists Declaration of Montreal Same-sex relationships Marriage · Adoption Opposition · Discrimination Violence This box:      Peter Gary Tatchell (born 25 January 1952) is an Australian-British human rights activist, who is best known internationally for his attempts to perform a citizens... The Bermondsey byelection of February 24, 1983 occurred after the resignation of Robert Mellish, who had represented the constituency and its predecessors since 1946. ...

See also

• Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team

The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bisexuality is a sexual orientation which refers to the romantic and/or sexual attraction of individuals to other individuals of both their own and the opposite gender or sex. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... LGBT rights Around the world By country History · Groups · Activists Declaration of Montreal Same-sex relationships Marriage · Adoption Opposition · Discrimination Violence This box:      Peter Gary Tatchell (born 25 January 1952) is an Australian-British human rights activist, who is best known internationally for his attempts to perform a citizens... // While outing often refers to an outdoor excursion, in the late twentieth century, the term acquired an additional meaning, taking someone out of the closet, that is, publicising that someone is secretly homosexual. ... Look up sun in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) is the principal Green political party in England and Wales. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Simon Hughes MP official website
• Simon Hughes for Leader Simon Hughes' campaignsite to lead the Liberal Democrats
• bloggers 4 Hughes also has links to pro-Simon blog sites
• Simon Hughes MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
• ePolitix.com — Simon Hughes
• Guardian Unlimited Politics — Ask Aristotle: Simon Hughes MP
• TheyWorkForYou.com — Simon Hughes MP
• The Public Whip — Simon Hughes voting record
• BBC News — Simon Hughes profile 7 January 2006
• Hughes enters Lib Dem leader race (BBC News , 12 January 2006)
• Hughes explains his gay admission BBC News — 26 January 2006
• Simon Hughes: “I’m bisexual” — PinkNews.co.uk — 26 January 2006