Simon Hughes sets out his vision (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Simon Hughes sets out his vision

September 6, 2004 4:34 PM

Simon Hughes, new Liberal Democrat Party President

Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat President elect has given his first interview since his election. In his interview, with the Guardian, he outlines his vision and hoe the Liberal Democrats can overtake the Conservatives at the next election.

Simon Hughes told the Guardian the Conservatives could not change fundamentally under a leader such as Michael Howard, whose very existence reminded voters of all the reasons they threw them out in 1997. He said "It gives us a great opportunity, a chance to overtake them - whether at the next election or the one after that," As for Labour he said "Voters are still very angry. They've lost trust, and aren't likely to regain it,"

Mr. Hughes further said "When Blair was elected, I thought that, whether the policies were right or wrong, he would deliver trustworthy government. He's been a real disappointment. He was very apolitical and unpolitical then, he probably is now."

Mr. Hughes believes that, if Lib Dems can combine competence with trustworthiness - by being "good representatives who do what we say" - they are almost at the point of regaining power in their own right for the first time since world war one. He insists fairness is central: "If we can win the ground Labour has lost - it used to be the party of fairness, the Tories never were - it is ground the British people will respond to."

Mr. Hughes concluded by saying "The hope and idea is that we are the next party of government, the implication being that the Tories do not come back and replace Labour. They're stalled. And our job is to contain them."