Bloggers 4 Hughes

The Final Word

2006-03-02T15:47:00.000Z

The final word on this amagam of Bloggers supporting Simon Hughes bid for the leadership should go to the party president. Who commented on the election of Sir Menzies Campbell to succeed Charles Kennedy saying:

'I am absolutely clear that this party has a great future.

'I am absolutely clear that liberal democracy has a great future; and I am absolutely clear that we will go, Ming, under your leadership from strength to strength towards the government that Britain desperately needs and that we are all so unitedly determined to achieve.'

Well said Simon.

Tony Ferguson Says Hughes For Leader

2006-02-17T22:44:00.000Z

Hot off the blogsphere Tony Ferguson has finally decided to go with Simon Hughes as leader. He consulted, cajoled and considered the opinions of fellow bloggers before coming to his conclusion. It finally boiled down to:

Ultimately for me it came down to Simons ability to communicate the Liberal Democrat vision across a wide range of topics. He is passionate and inspiring and I feel that these are essential qualities in a leader.

However, he considers that a perfect ballast for Simon as deputy would be a certain Chris Huhne.

Barrie Wood Has Plans For Simon

2006-02-16T19:12:00.000Z

This post from Barrie Wood really made me laugh at lunch time today. Although I think it is too early to right off Simon's chances for a Premier League position just yet and ply his trade at the City Ground in League 1.

Linda Jack Backs Simon Heart and Soul

2006-02-12T23:02:00.000Z

Linda used two criteria in her blog stating why she has chosen Simon Hughes as her choice for leader. On the outer packaging she summed up Simon:

Definitely the winner in the beauty contest – if eyes are the window of the soul you must spend a fortune on Windolene! Not particularly plagued by bad hair days…..just the odd bad tie day……….

And for the heart benneath the packaging:

Is there any other member of the party, let alone leadership contender who comes anywhere near [Simon] in the heart stakes? You have demonstrated not only your willingness to work tirelessly for your constituents, but also to be willing to lay down your life for them. Your compassion and humanity are legendary, no question about my choice in this category.

Ian Ridley's Mind Made Up For Hughes

2006-02-12T22:55:00.000Z

On the eve of the Dunfermline and West Fife election Ian Ridley made his announcement on A Timely Reform that his is voting Hughes 1. He said:

Simon Hughes inspires Liberals. He is committed to social justice and civil liberties and communicates his deeply-held beliefs in a clear confident way.

I want a leader with committment, energy and belief and Simon Hughes ticks those boxes.

The Abbotts in Agreement for Simon

2006-02-12T22:42:00.000Z

Following the Leeds Hustings last weekend both Chris and Glynis came out ready to give Simon their number 1 preferences.

Chris is the Leader of the Lib Dem Group on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council of which Glynis is also a member.

Chris said about Simon's performance at the Leeds event:

Simon Hughes, I noticed, was clearly speaking from the heart. The scrap of paper in front of him had no more than about five words on it and he was word perfect. How do they do it?

Simon again said all the things I want to hear. Chris relied too heavily, once again, on his previous career as a journalist, clearly to make up for the lack of country-wide campaign experience.

"I am pleased to be back in Leeds said Simon" with the air of a man who clearly had campaigned there before. He then went on to list all the places in the north east and the West Riding of Yorkshire, that had elections this year, and pointed out that he had helped in all those areas.

Cambridge Student Andy Says Vote Hughes

2006-02-12T22:28:00.000Z

One thing about the additional Lib Dem Bloggers is that has taken me tiem to get around to finding them all. Such as the long winded title of a blog Wouldn't It Be Scarier to Discover Everything You Believe is Absolutely Right? run by Andrew Hinton who appears to be from Shrewsbury studying in Cambridge.

He has decided to pick Simon and tells us why. Here is just some of his conclusion:

So why pick Hughes? Because, as ever, Labour have a large group of members who are not content with their actual party. A proper signal that the so-called "orange book" tendency is in the minority, like they wish it was in their own party, might have the best chance of attracting the Labour votes the party needs. Anyone who really is ideologically a Tory will never vote for a party who believe in fair taxation and real steps to help the environment that won't benefit business. Some people who simply vote Tory out of tribal opposition to Labour might come join us, but that is frankly a bonus. As we saw in the 2005 election, to base a strategy around bringing down Tory seats is a non-starter.

So the clearest message to the voters we need to attract to the party would be to pick Hughes. Happily enough, I also happen to think that, talented communicator as he is, he's the best person to then try to get the idea across to the electorate that we need to move on from the left-right mypoia that we currently suffer from. On top of that, Campbell is quite well placed where he is, as an elder statesman who speaks very well on foreign policy. Huhne may well be useful to the party as a now better known face, but in all honesty I don't think he's well known enough to be leader, and a vote for him as leader would simply suggest to most people that we are an irrelevance, happy to be led by someone they've not even heard of.

The Repulic of Hyde Park Votes Simon

2006-02-12T10:03:00.000Z

David Morton at The Republic of Hyde Park has voted and given his first preference to Simon. As he says we are making inroads into Labour territory, just ask Gordon Brown who his new MP is, and Simon is a natural in that sort of territory. As well as Simon being blood and guts campaigner even in 'dead areas'.

David was impressed enough by Chris Huhne to give his second preference but felt he was lacking in his presentational skills. A like a growing groundswell David was disappointed by Ming asnd is not impressed by the idea of a Ming regency.

So inclusion David said:

Electing Simon will throw a charismatic hand grenade into the middle of centre left politics. Unpredictable? yes, Chaotic? if I'm honest, yes. But if you look at the rotting putric corpse of a third term labour government and cameroons repackaging of "failed brand" toryism then a hand grenade is exactly whats needed.

Simon Impresses Blogger in Slough

2006-02-11T20:09:00.000Z

The three leadership candidates had a tough act to follow in todays hustings in Slough by all accounts. Most Lib Dems I know both online and in preson are still buzzing about our 63rd MP Willie Rennie.

However, the reports from people who were there indicate that Simon Hughes was the most impressive. Tony Ferguson who had previosuly written Hughes off ranked Simon top on Education, Environment, Health and for their opening remarks. He only gave Chris Huhne a slight edge on taxation. Indeed his overal ratings came out Simon Hughes 41/50 Chris Huhne 34 and Sir Menzies Campbell 28. While this performance had not put him wholly in the Hughes camp it has him undecided which of the Hs will get his first and which his second preference.

Gary Giffin commenting on the above was also impressed by both Simon and Chris, so it appears there are doubts to Mings assertion that he is a safe pair of hands to lead our party.

The outcome of this hustings in front of 500 party members is according to Rob Fenwick who wasn't there has been inundated with requests to add many more names to Simon's Supporters.

Ballot Papers on Their Way

2006-02-06T09:22:00.000Z

Today is the day that the leadership ballots are sent out to all members of the Liberal Democrats.

Remember these need to be returned by 1 March to allow the count to take place on 2 March.

e-hustings

2006-02-05T23:02:00.000Z

Simon Hughes shows he a leader with a grip on the 21st century by launching a e-hustings on his website. Talking of his reasons for doing so Simon said:

I will attend as many hustings events over as much of the country as I can in the course of the next few weeks. But hustings events are not convenient for everyone, and some parts of the country will not be in reach of a hustings at all.

In a democratic leadership election every member should have the opportunity to put a direct question to their candidate of choice. That is why I am launching this week-long 'e-hustings' – your chance as a member to put a direct question to me, with my answer published on this Website for everyone to read.

The e-hustings will be chaired by Paul Homes MP - I will answer as many questions as I can, but depending on the number that are received, I may not be able to answer every question.

So go along and fill in the relvant boxes and have your question aired.

Rob Fenwick Explains Why He Joined Simon's Team

2006-01-31T13:50:00.000Z

Rob Fenwick has gone into great detail talking about why he is supporting Simon Hughes for leader of the Liberal Democrats. In fact he was so impressed he joined the campaign team.

Perhaps the greatest praise you can lay on any person is that they are a decent person. Simon is a decent man. In equal measure he has the ability to lead, the ability to inspire, the ability to relate to people, and the ability to peform in Parliament. He’s by far and away the best ‘all-rounder’ standing for the leadership.

Could I serve the party under the interim leadership of Ming Campbell? Sure. I’d probably pull out of Westminster and focus on my local party. I wouldn’t feel in the least inspired to do any e-campaigning stuff for the party, but sure. I’d stay as a member and do what I could on the ground.

Could I serve the party under Chris Huhne? Probably. It’s hard to say when you don’t really know who he is or what he stands for.

Will I serve the party under Simon Hughes? Yes. And I’ll be proud to. Proud to be a member of a party lead by man of integrity. Proud to serve a man who has been through a personal trauma and emerged from it a stronger, even more capable, ever fitter leader.

Botheration Convinced at Meeting the Challenge

2006-01-29T23:27:00.000Z

Botheration posted the following comment regarding Simon's speech at Meeting the Challenge:

Simon Hughes by contrast took the attack straight to Labour which I also felt was telling. His speech was heavy on charisma and also a direct pitch to that species of activist that wants to see social justice occupying a fairly prominent spot on the party's agenda. He managed to be polished and articulate and not to repeat himself, wander off the point or run over time. He said he wanted to see a progressive social agenda and said taxes were our subscription to a civilised society. He said that Liberalism should be about both fairness and freedom, not one or the other and I was pretty convinced that he had my vote by the time that he left the podium.

Andrew Milton Supports Local-ish Candidate

2006-01-29T23:23:00.000Z

Cllr Andrew Milton of the Lewisham Central ward has local reasons for his support for Simon:

Other than mentioning that I'm supporting Simon Hughes for Lib Dem leader, if only for the local reason that he knows Lewisham and its issues pretty well.

But I'm sure the same is also true of some supporters of Ming near North East Fife and of Chris near Eastleigh.

Barrie Wood Remains Resolute

2006-01-29T23:19:00.000Z

Barrie Wood may have been impressed by Chris Huhne at the Making a Deiffernece Conference however he remained unstinting in his support for Simon Hughes:

To date, Huhne's is the best and most positive policy driven campaign , even if I remain firmly resolved to support Simon Hughes. The party needs intellectual ballast and for all the criticisms, at least we have had idelogical contributions to the debate about what liberalism is and where it should go from the 'Orange Book-ers'. Where are the much needed counter arguments from those staunchly opposed to that outlook ?

Matt Jenkins Backs the Most Resourceful

2006-01-29T23:16:00.000Z

Matt Jenkins may be the youngest blogger supporting Simon. However, youth is not hindrance in the Liberal Democrats and he said:

So, who's going to win it? I sorely hope Simon Hughes can rise to the challenge. Admittedly he is the Christian, but he is also the most resourceful of the 3, and he's really media-friendly which is a must for the position. There are a few other outsiders in the leadership contest, but methinks they won't go very far compared to the big three. Keep your eye on the news, or indeed the papers, and I'll be putting up startling developments on here evry now and then.

Martin Turner Helping Simon All He can

2006-01-29T23:13:00.000Z

Martin Turner, Chair of Liberal Democrat Christian Forum and Vice Chair of Parliamentary Candidates Association. His wished to point out that his support for Simon is personal because as Party Organisations, neither LDCF nor PCA will be corporately supporting any one candidate. he said:

"I will do everything I can to help get Simon elected. He has three magnificent opponents, any one of whom could lead this party effectively and with vision and energy. But Simon is the pick of the Liberal-Democrats. A man of conscience and integrity, vision, charisma and clarity, he is inspiring, loyal, generous and experienced, and without equal in British politics today."

Helen Evison Posted Her Support

2006-01-29T23:10:00.000Z

On the 18th January Helen Evison mentioned in passing:

As he was getting up I went into town to deliver my nomination form for the new Liberal Democrat Party Leader. I am pledging my support for Simon Hughes.

James Thompson Reaffirmed Choice After Sky Debate

2006-01-29T23:07:00.000Z

On the 16 January following the Sky News dabateJames Thompson posted:

The 4 leadeship candidates took part in a debate earlier this evening on Sky News and for me I found it very interesting. Whilst it re-affirmed my backing for Simon Hughes, it did leave me unsure as to where my second preference vote will go to. I was extremely impressed with all 4 candidates. Whoever wins the contest, I will be happy for them to lead my party.

Chris Huhne impressed me, I had never heard him speak before. But, I do think at the moment my second preference will be Mark Oaten. I was not happy with his views on the NHS, but I did admire his ambition for the party. we should stop all this talk of no glass ceilings and should be ambitious and confident that we can form a government. In the next election, lets try and get as many votes and as many seats as possible. Our priority in a general election, needs to be the general election. But I feel many people in our party are more obsessed with local election success than gaining credibilty as a national political force.

Rob Fenwick Supports Simon by Being Webmaster

2006-01-29T23:00:00.000Z

Rob Fenwick is another blogger supporting Simon Hughes. His support came in the very practical way of establishing this version of Simon's leadership campaign site.

He said:

"I support Simon Hughes because I believe he ticks all the boxes. He is as comfortable taking on the Prime Minister at PMQs as he is rallying the Liberal Democrat troops at constituency dinners.

"He can walk down a street shaking hands and kissing babies as naturally as he buses activists around Southwark & Bermondsey in his yellow taxi. He can step straight out of chairing a Federal Executive meeting to deliver a first-rate media interview.

"Simon makes voters feel comfortable when they meet him. It’s easy to place your trust in him as a leader. He has the natural skills of leadership, without being aloof and Mingdescending. Sorry, sorry, condescending."

Welsh AM Blogger is Simon Supporter

2006-01-29T22:54:00.000Z

The only Liberal Democrat AM in Cardiff to keep a blog Cllr Peter Black is also the first AM to be listed amongst Simon Hughes list of supporters however has kept the leadership campaign off his blog pages to date.

Susanne Lamido Supporting Simon

2006-01-29T22:46:00.000Z

Susanne Lamido from Islington North is another blogger to support Simon. She said:

"It is very apparent that we need a strong leader who will unite the party - the wounds are deep and scars will be felt for a very long time.The public must be made to feel that we are a refreshed party going places, under a strong leader who voters will feel akin to. I decide that for that reason I will go with my original inclination and support Simon Hughes's leadership bid."

Stephen Glenn Backs Simon

2006-01-20T18:37:00.000Z

The first Lib Dem blogger to support Simon was Stephen Glenn when he posted his intention on Friday 13 January. Stephen was the party's candidate in Linlithgow and Falkirk East in the General Election last year.

He assures Simon that his support is not based solely on the conversation they had, in the queue for candidadate's pictures to be taken, at last year's Harrogate Spring Conference. As the post shows it came after careful consideration of all the candidates and the interests of the party.

Bloggers 4 Hughes

2006-01-20T18:22:00.000Z

This is the first Federal Liberal Democrat leadership election where widespread use of the internet is having an effect both in carrying news, opinion and announcements. All of the three candidates have a website and all of the candidates have Liberal Democrat bloggers who support their candidacy.

This site has been set up to bring you news of the Lib Dem bloggers who are supporting Simon Hughes to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.