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Who should replace Simon Hughes?
Excerpt: Today is the day that nominations open for the Presidency of the Liberal Democrats. Stephen Tall has stimulated some debate on whether change is required (for example on politicalbetting).
Today is the day that nominations open for the Presidency of the Liberal Democrats. Stephen Tall has stimulated some debate on whether change is required (for example on politicalbetting).
Should Hughes stand again? I failed to stimulate any debate when posting this quote from Hughes on Pigeon Post
After congratulating new Councillors on their election, Simon Hughes* wrote
"I also hope those elected who were previously party officers will now stand down from party office so that others can take their place. Only party members who are not elected to public office can hold those of us who are effectively to account."
I could only interpret this message (from Member of Parliament, Member of the Shadow cabinet and Party President) as Maoist self-criticism. In brief, it is time for a change.
So who might stand? No rumours have reached me but here are a few people to think about.
Women
Sarah Teather or Lynne Featherstone might do the job very well. Sarah does a great line in motivational speeches, while Lynne has shown herself to be an interesting thinker on the future of the party.
Oldies but Goldies
Paul Tyler or Alan Beith would both do a great job (perhaps they have already done - Tyler seems to have done most jobs in the party).
Future leaders
Nick Clegg or Michael Moore to name but two might have an interest in the job. The current President is widely thought to have wanted the job as a stepping stone (and much good it did him) - but I don´t think leadership aspirations are a handicap. Being President is probably a good way of finding out about the strengths and occasional weaknesses of the party in the country. I do agree with Hughes that the President ought to be outside the Shadow Cabinet and ought to swear an oath not shirk awkward decisions because of a desire to be leader in the future (okay, I know he didn´t exactly say that...).
Cuddly toys
David Heath or the Millenium elephant would both be popular choices. I´m not sure the elephant is a paid up member though.
Bloggers
A wealth of choice here: Lynne Featherstone (again), Jonathan Calder, Alex Wilcock would each get a lot of support. Liberal Review would back a Tabman campaign, of course. And what about matinee idol Stephen Tall?
Participate
We can all join in. Don´t wait for someone to ask for your signature on a nomination paper - phone, write or e-mail and tell them you would like them to stand. We´re Liberal Democrats, aren´t we? We should believe in elections.
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I'm flattered by the nomination, but no, no, absolutely not. I'd much rather fall on my sword in favour of most of your intriguing choices; Millennium, obviously, though I'm not sure either he or fellow matinee idols gorgeous pouting Stephen or spectularly tached John Thurso have a wide enough base of support.
Lynne sounds persuasive, and Jo Swinson also springs to mind; I imagine that Susan Kramer was given a miss because she's from the same London Borough as the Deputy Leader? Though the thought of Leader and Deputy being easily confused by the casual viewer didn't seem to prevent the MPs making the choice they did (and of the runners-up, I'd far rather propose Matthew Taylor than David Heath)... And on that basis, lovely as Alan is, I'd say not the oldies. Bit of age balance in the top three jobs, please.
Even to be named in such illustrious company is prize enough. However, I cannot help feeling Nick Clegg is trying to up the matinee idol stakes given his decidedly 'disco' look on Sunday AM yesterday.
One Golden Oldie omitted here is Paddy, who is leading the poll over at my site asking Who should be the next Lib Dem President? But there's only 4% between him and Lynne, and all still to play for...
Alex
I thought the Orange Triangle was well enough represented, and also decided that Scotland should stand aside on this so no Thurso nor Swinson on my list.
I considered a West of England category for Heath and a few others as the West is underrepresented at the top of the party at present (in my Kingsholm centred view). Ashdown would fit the bill in some ways. Taylor doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid.
Stephen
I don't think you'd be caught out looking so 1970s...
Peter
http://pigeon-post.blogspot.com/
If we could get over having another not young male at the leadership helm how about a former MP such as David Rendel?
Simon Hughes' quotation proves the point that I made on my blog. There is a need for someone outside the Parliamentary Party to be President.
It's a shame that Alex won't run. I, for one, would support him despite our tax policy disagreements and I would work hard to get him elected. I bet that there are a few others out there who would do the same.
Defaulting to the status quo that the Presidency is just the plaything of the Parliamentary Party is plain dull and power overconcentrated in Westminster village.
Maybe the job of President of the Lib Dems should be advertised in the Guardian along with all the other non jobs.
Awhh, bless you, Toby. But I'm really not up to it (I'd have sent you a 'thank you' if you had an e-mail on your blog!).
I'd agree with you in principle about the desirability of a President being from outside the Parliamentary Party; in effect, they're the deputy Leader of the party in the country, while the MPs select the Deputy within Parliament. But unless, say, Honor Blackman could be prevailed upon, who is going to be able to run this time as a serious challenger rather than an ineffectual protest? No-one's been doing the 'working all year round' business necessary to build a profile, which means someone already well-known, which probably means an MP, at least this time.
Were it to be an MP, I'd be less worried by a geographical balance than the party looking entirely as if it was made up of dignified, sensible balding older men. Similarly, had - say - Chris Huhne been elected Leader and Matthew Taylor Deputy, I wouldn't mind Vince to provide a bit of 'upwards' age balance, but whatever happens, can't we at least find someone to show we're not all pressed from a mould?
Still waiting for Simon Hughes to apologise for his blatant homophobic campaign that won him the Bermonsey seat.
It seems that a two faced hypocrit goes a long way in the Lib Dems.
What with Ming & Cable,you just need to add Captain Mannering and we can be treated to a full rerun of Dad's army.
You're so behind the times jim. Simon's already apologised for the tone of the Bermondsey campaign back in about February -- though of course the homophobic campaign in '83 wasn't from the Liberals, so really all that there was for Simon to apologise for is that he didn't shout about it being wrong at the time.