Biography

Simon Hughes has been one of the most high profile and widely respected Liberal Democrat MPs since the party was formed. Simon is acknowledged for his effective parliamentary contributions for in the House of Commons and is now the second longest serving Liberal Democrat MP.

As well as parliamentary activity, Simon is known as an energetic and proactive political campaigner, capable of influencing both hearts and minds on issues as diverse as the environment, health, racism, social justice and international affairs. It was the campaigns for international justice in South Africa and Palestine that inspired Simon to join the Liberal Party in 1971.

In his own part of the world, Simon has taken a leading role in transforming the politics of one south London borough by winning and holding one of Labour's previously safest seats. The north Southwark seat is widely regarded as London's strongest Liberal Democrat bastion against Labour, having been won by Simon six times in a row.

Personal

Simon Hughes was born in Cheshire in May 1951, before his family moved to Wales at the age of 8 and to Herefordshire when he was 18. He moved to London in 1973 after finishing university. Simon read Law at Selwyn College, Cambridge (1970-73) where he became President of the College Students Union. After being called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1974, he received a postgraduate certificate in European Studies at the College of Europe, Bruges in 1975, where he was again student union president.

Career

After training and working at the European Commission (Brussels) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), Simon returned to pupillage and practice as a barrister in London chambers from 1977.

Party Political History

Simon became the youngest opposition MP when he won the famous Bermondsey by-election in February 1983. Simon set a still unbeaten record for the highest swing between two parties in any British parliamentary election – 50.9% from Labour to Liberal. In 1997, North Southwark and Bermondsey was one of only two of Labour's 100 target seats which Labour failed to win.The Conservative result was the lowest but one Tory share of the vote in England.

Simon has held many of the key portfolios for the Liberal and Liberal Democrat front benches:

• Environment (1983-88)
• Education, Science and Training (1988-90)
• Environment, Natural Resources and Food (1990-94)
• Urban Affairs and Community Relations (1994-95)
• Health (1995-99)
• Home Affairs (1999-2003)
• London (1998-2000)

Key Parliamentary committee activities

• Member, Ecclesiastical Committee
• Vice-Chair All Party Irish in Britain Group
• Vice-Chair All Party South Africa Group
• Treasurer All Party Bangladesh Group
• Treasurer All Party Finland Group
• Secretary, All Party Asthma Group
• Joint Parliamentary Chair, Council for Education in the Commonwealth
• Joint Chair, New Dialogue – campaigning for peace in Northern Ireland
• Parliamentary Consultant, Churches Commission for Racial Justice Patron
• National Missing Persons Helpline; Member, Parliamentary Anti Racist Alliance.

Past activities

• Simon has been President, British Youth Council
• Vice Chair, Parliamentary Youth Affairs Lobby Chair
• All Party Parliamentary Christian Fellowship 1997 - 2001 and a member of the General Synod of the Church of England

Key plaudits

• Simon was Spectator Highland Park 'Member to Watch' 1985
• National Motivation Week ‘Most Motivated MP' 1989
• Green MP of the Year, 1992
• Channel 4 and House Magazine nominee as opposition MP of the Year 2000 and 2001

Community Activity

From 1993 to 1998, Simon chaired the 'Save Guy's Hospital Campaign' to maintain services at one of the UK's flagship hospitals, located in his constituency, and in 2000 became a member of the management committee setting up the Bermondsey School, for year 7 and 8 pupils with no secondary school place.

Parliamentary Activity

Simon has introduced bills in Parliament on: Empty Property; Access to Information; Parish and Community Councils in London; Disestablishment of the Church of England; Equal Rights for War Pensioners; Banning Tobacco Advertising; School Entry Systems, and most famously, to require the Queen to pay Income Tax and to change the current sexist rules of succession to the throne.

Personal Interests

Simon is a Christian. His political interests are social justice, community relations, Europe, the Commonwealth, human rights and young people's issues. When he gets any spare time, his interests include music (everything from classical to dance), reading, theatre, the countryside and open air, family and friends. He supports Wales at Rugby, Glamorgan at Cricket and First Division Millwall at Football. He is a patron of Southwark Playhouse.

You can find out more information about me and my work for the people of Southwark North and Bermondsey at my own website: www.simonhughes.org.uk.