Liberal Democrat MP North Southwark and Bermondsey

Date of birth

17 May 1951

Political profile

Simon Hughes won the seat of Southwark for the Liberal Party in a notoriously bitter 1983 by-election, against Labour's Peter Tatchell.

He has held the seat ever since, winning for the sixth time in 2001 with a 26% majority.

His continued success in what was seen as a natural Labour heartland was partly due to his very high profile.

Mr Hughes gained even more media attention after becoming the party's home affairs spokesman in 1999, having come second to Charles Kennedy in the Liberal Democrat leadership election on a platform of greater autonomy from Labour.

He used that position to articulate the same liberal views he has consistently held on such issues as penal and asylum policy.

But he gave up the post to be a candidate in the 2004 London mayoral elections, where he came third.

In September 2004 he was elected President of the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Hughes is also a dedicated environmentalist and anti-nuclear campaigner, as well as being an opponent of both abortion and euthanasia.

He is well known around Parliament for the bright yellow London taxi he drives and for his frequent speeches.

In 1999, he was placed under police protection after receiving death threats following his role in convincing witnesses in a murder case to give testimony.

Contact

simon@simonhughesmp.org.uk

Constituency office 020 7403 2860