Simon Hughes and leading Liberal Democrats address UK Iberoamerican Alliance in London
April 21, 2010 6:12 PM
"Now is the time for the link between London and the liberation of Latin America to be recognised and celebrated" - Simon Hughes
Last Sunday, 18th April 2010, at the Fusion Centre, Elephant and Castle, the UK Iberoamerican Alliance hosted a large gathering of more than a thousand Iberoamericans from London and other parts of the UK. This gave an excellent opportunity for Liberal Democrat and Labour representatives to set out their policies and address the concerns of the Iberoamerican communities in London and the UK.
Simon Hughes, immediate past Liberal Democrat President and candidate for Old Southwark and Bermondsey, spoke -first in Spanish and then through an interpreter- addressing some of the issues which most affect the Spanish, Portuguese and Latinamerican communities.
Hughes opened his speech with a tribute to the links between British Liberalism and the secret plot which, 200 years ago here in London, allowed Simon Bolivar to garner the support necessary for the wars to liberate Latin America from Spain. "Exactly two hundred years ago this year and here in London, Simon Bolivar plotted the liberation of South America." -said Mr. Hughes. "Now is the time for the link between London and the liberation of Latin America to be recognised and celebrated."
The main issue for many Iberoamericans now in the UK is immigration and citizenship: Hughes confirmed that Liberal Democrats are committed to Earned Route to Citizenship -which would allow an illegal immigrant or overstayer, after ten years of UK residence, to start the process of making their stay legal. "We believe that those who have lived for ten years in this land, respecting all others in the community and ready and able to contribute to British life, should be able to make their case for staying legally in the UK. In the first televised debate, the leaders of the two largest parties proposed a national cap on immigration. We do not", said Mr. Hughes. He made clear that Liberal Democrats have no proposals for a UK-wide cap on the number of immigrants entering Britain -but support Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions setting their own limits.
Hughes also publicly applauded the crucial role that Iberoamericans as well their ancient and important cultural, political and linguistic traditions play in the lives of London and the world. Finally, the Liberal Democrat candidate, who has represented the same constituency for seven terms since 1983, promised that if reelected he will ask Parliament immediately to recognise Iberoamericans as a minority in the UK.
Mr Hughes also reminded the meeting of the deadline for voter registration of 20th April. "Your vote is power and responsibility. This year all those who are allowed to vote should take this opportunity."
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Short excerpts from Mr. Hughes' speech:
"Exactly two hundred years ago this year, and here in London, Simon Bolivar plotted the liberation of South America. It is crucial that the relationship between British Liberalism and the Americas be celebrated and revived."
"In the last debate, the leaders of the two largest parties proposed a national cap on immigration. We do not"
"We believe that those who have lived for ten years in this land, respecting all others in the community and ready and able to contribute to British life, should be able to make their case for staying legally in the UK."
2. In addition to Mr Hughes, the event included addresses from Harriet Harman, the Leader of Southwark Council, and councillors from Lambeth.
3. A recent UCL project, supported by the ESRC, suggests, on the basis of surname and ethnic data surveys and pre-existing census, that there are 250,000 Ibero-Americans in London. Many of this community live south of the river, and in particular in Southwark and Lambeth.
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats