Simon Hughes MP

Simon Hughes said the Conservative party needed “to get its act together” to focus on encouraging growth and development. “Can I make it clear when I talk to my constituents they do not say to me ‘Simon are you today going to give us a r... Continue to article

Ahead of the Queen's Speech, Simon Hughes said there was “clearly an issue” across Europe about when EU citizens qualified for government help from other member states. “There’s an immigration issue. It’s no good any party including mine... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said the Liberal Democrats have been forced to take UKIP seriously following the local elections. "Firstly, what is has done is forced us to take UKIP seriously.They have serious messages which we should be concerned about, ... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said that UKIP were a threat to Labour, as well as the Conservatives, but that it was too soon to say whether Britain had a four party system. “Let’s see [about four party system]. I mean this is county elections, not urban ... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said that though the Liberal Democrats traditionally have fewer candidates than Labour and the Conservatives, they are running a full slate of candidates in all key electoral battlegrounds of the county council elections. “W... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said that an end to universal benefits was on the Government's agenda. “Well at the moment, pensioners have done very well in this Parliament, they've been completely protected, protected against any housing and benefit change... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said he was prepared to ask ministers about the decision to hold the FA Cup semi-final in the late afternoon after a dozen fans were arrested following violence at the Millwall end. “Yes, people had gathered at noon, at lunc... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said the immigration system did not have the "confidence of the British people". “The big issue that we’ve all got to face is the immigration system doesn’t have the confidence of the British people because although we belie... Continue to article

Simon Hughes stressed that tax relief for the poorest was the priority for the Lib Dems. “Yes I accept that [people are struggling], and yes Liberal Democrats accept that, and yes the Government accepts that. People are struggling and we... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said that the Liberal Democrats had secured press reform in which a “charter will be protected” by a legislative ringfence. “We had five points of significant difference for the Conservatives or with the PM as of Thursday ni... Continue to article

Mr Hughes said the Liberal Democrats had been pushing for change in the media industry since the 1990s. “My party has actually agreed to go to a Royal Commission since the 90s we thought that the public wanted a less close relationship b... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said he sympathised with Vicky Pryce. "It’s very sad, it’s sad for her personally, it’s sad for the family, for the children, obviously the court heard all the evidence, and the jury heard the evidence and the system in Brit... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said scrapping the Human Rights Act pandered to anti-European feelings. "It's very clear in this Parliament there can be no reduction in all the rights because that's what the coalition agreement says; there's been a committ... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said that he never received any complaints about Lord Rennard whilst party president of the Liberal Democrats. “I was party president for four years when Lord Rennard was chief executive and I know that not a single complain... Continue to article

Simon Hughes said there should be no "witch-hunt" against Lord Rennard and said due process had to be followed with an investigation. "I can independently attest to the fact there were no allegations which came specifically about the the... Continue to article