Hughes sets out stall for Lib Dem presidency
Simon Hughes has set out his vision for the Liberal Democrat party at the launch of his campaign to become party president.
Wednesday 30th June is the last day for nominations to be submitted for the party presidency, and so far it is a straight contest between Mr Hughes and Lembit Opik.
Mr Hughes, who finished third in the recent Mayor of London election, is claiming the support of two thirds of the members of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party.
However, the winning candidate will be elected under a single transferable vote system by all members of the Liberal Democrat party.
Speaking today, Mr Hughes said: “I am standing as president of the Liberal Democrats to make our party grow in size, grow in credibility and grow as a force in British politics.”
“My pledge to the party is that by the end of my presidency the Liberal Democrats will leapfrog Labour in the number of its’ party members. It is time for a bigger, bolder, more exciting and united party that will bring the idea of two party politics to its long overdue end.”
The Lib Dems’ membership currently stands at around 73,000 compared to the Labour Party’s 214,952.
Last week Mr Opik pledged to communicate with grass roots members and motivate the party.
He is perhaps best known for his calls for the Government to take the threat of an asteroid strike seriously, but is widely regarded as intelligent and ambitious.
Commentators are divided on the importance of the role of party president. Though there is a large ceremonial aspect, with president essentially the Liberal Democrat figurehead at formal events, for some it can act as a springboard to political advancement.
Current party leader Charles Kennedy held the presidency between 1990 and 1994.
The president is responsible for chairing policy committees and motivating and uniting the party.
