'Liberal Democracy will be in good hands with Clegg or with Huhne' - Hughes
November 2, 2007 9:30 AM
Simon Hughes MP, responding to the news that Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne have been confirmed as the only two candidates in the election to become next Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
'It is good news for Liberal Democrats and liberal democracy that Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne have now been confirmed as candidates to be our next party Leader.
'Of course I regret that, in this election, there will be no female candidate also on the list - although it is good news that Lorely Burt was last week elected as the first ever female chair of the parliamentary Liberal Democrats in the House of Commons.
'Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne are both excellent Members of Parliament, effective and persuasive parliamentarians and bring huge political experience and skill to this contest. Nick or Chris will be an excellent choice as Leader for further growth of liberal democracy across Britain. All my colleagues will work enthusiastically with whoever wins. Liberal democracy will be in good hands with Nick Clegg or Chris Huhne.
' I have decided that, now the deadline for confirmed nominations has passed, I shall make public my voting intentions. I will vote for Nick Clegg in the forthcoming election.
'I have known and worked with Nick since before he entered active politics and I played some small part in our earlier lives in encouraging him to do so. We share common commitments to the international, European and domestic political agenda. Since his time as Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, I have worked very closely and well with him on law, order and justice policy. I have been greatly impressed by his political skills.
'Above all I believe that Nick is a great communicator. Liberal Democrats will prosper and flourish, not only because we have the right policy and right message, but because we have people who can communicate effectively. We must get across urgently the real need for a Britain and a world where liberal values are the norm. In my judgement, Nick will be best able to do this.
'Already in this campaign, both candidates have shown how worthy they are of support. I wish them both well in the arduous weeks ahead. Our party members are rightly sovereign and we will all enthusiastically congratulate whoever wins.'
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