Simon Hughes: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Simon Hughes3.jpg|thumb|Simon Hughes]]'''Simon Hughes''' (born 1951) is a Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the [[Liberal Democrats]]. | [[File:Simon Hughes3.jpg|thumb|Simon Hughes]]'''Simon Hughes''' (born 1951) is a Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the [[Liberal Democrats]]. | ||
He was elected to | He was elected to Parliament as a [[Liberal Party|Liberal]] in the [[Bermondsey by-election]] of 24 February 1983, beating the labour candidate [[Peter Tatchell]]. The election was marred by homophobic propaganda against Tatchell, Simon Hughes's own sexuality being kept secret. | ||
In 2004 Simon Hughes was the Liberal Democrat candidate for [[Mayor of London]]. | In 2004 Simon Hughes was the Liberal Democrat candidate for [[Mayor of London]]. | ||
Revision as of 14:47, 5 July 2012
Simon Hughes (born 1951) is a Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
He was elected to Parliament as a Liberal in the Bermondsey by-election of 24 February 1983, beating the labour candidate Peter Tatchell. The election was marred by homophobic propaganda against Tatchell, Simon Hughes's own sexuality being kept secret.
In 2004 Simon Hughes was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London.
Hughes stood for leadership of the Liberal Democrats in 2006. Peter Tatchell said: "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."[1] During the election Simon Hughes was outed by The Sun as bisexual. He confirmed this (having previously denied it), revealed his own homosexual experiences, and apologised for the 1983 campaign in 2006.[2] Peter Tatchell reaffirmed his opinion on the leadership election after Hughes' outing by The Sun. He said "it is time to forgive and move on... I am on the left of the Green Party. I don't support the Lib Dems, but if I was a member I would vote for Simon as leader."
In 2010, when the Liberal Democrats joined the coalition government, the party's deputy leader, Vince Cable, resigned on being appointed business Secretary, and Simon Hughes was elected Deputy Leader in his place.
Simon Hughes was ranked number 13 in the Pink List 2011.
References
<references>
- ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-337.html "Lib Dem candidate gets gay backing" Pink News 17 January 2006
- ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-355.html "Simon Hughes: 'I'm bisexual'", Pink News 26 January 2006