Simon Hughes sets out his policies and principles

10.40.21am GMT Tue 7th Feb 2006

Simon Hughes

Simon Hughes has now set out his themes for the Liberal Democrat Leadership. This follows on from Sir Menzies Campbell and Chris Huhne outline theirs last week. On his website he has a section entitled "Being true to our core values". Below is what he says and also a link to the page.

Being true to our core values

When the Liberal Democrats change our leader we do not change our principles. Nor does the new leader impose new policies on an unwilling party. The policies of the Liberal Democrats are the property of the members of the Liberal Democrats, and this is as it should be.

But the leader of the party does have a key role in articulating the vision of the party - the common themes and values which bind together our different policies. He or she also has a key role in communicating that vision to the wider public, not just to those who have thought of themselves as Liberal Democrats in the past.

That is why I offer, in this short document, some ideas about what I mean when I talk about the core Liberal Democrat values of Freedom, Fairness and Sustainability.

These are the values that I have lived out through my political career of more than 20 years in Parliament and more than 30 years in active politics, campaigning the length and breadth of Britain. And these are the values that I will continue to campaign for as the leader of our party.

If you share these values and want to help me communicate this vision, I encourage you to give me your support as leader and to work with me so that we can put these principles into practice in Government.

Related Link:

Read Simon's policies and principles