Clear-cut win for Hughes in Lib Dem presidential election
Simon Hughes was today unveiled as the new Liberal Democrat president, after polling 71 per cent of the votes cast.
All Liberal Democrat members were polled under the single transferable vote system that saw just under 73,000 ballot papers issued.
Turnout stood at 47.3 per cent, with Mr Hughes polling 71 per cent of the vote, and his only challenger Lembit Opik polling 29 per cent.
Addressing party activists and the media outside the Liberal Democrats’ Westminster quarters Mr Hughes said that his immediate aim would be to work with Charles Kennedy and Ming Campbell to win the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election.
“I will then work flat out for a big increase in Liberal Democrat seats at the next general election, to increase our membership to overtake Labour’s, and grow our party’s resources, appeal and votes to make the party fit for the purpose of government.
“This week we are rightly celebrating British success at the Olympics.
“Liberals had golden days in the past. Then for a period, we were rewarded with no medals or with bronze.
“But times are changing now. Our sights are higher. Our aspirations are greater. Our potential for achievement is greater too.
“We are now winning silver. But in the years to come, nothing less than gold will do.
“There will always be reasons – and good reasons – to ask people to vote against the other parties. But now Liberal Democrats provide positive reasons for people to vote for us.”
Mr Hughes will officially take up the post on the last day of the party’s September conference. He succeeds Lord Dholakia whose term in the post comes to an end this month.
The Liberal Democrat’s president is officially responsible for chairing the party’s executive meetings, and contributing to the party’s strategic direction.
