Primus Inter Pares - 2006 Lib Dem Leadership Elections

[Lumine]

May 2006 - Hughes and Clegg battle for the soul of the Lib Dems

It was a common belief among many in the Liberal Democrats that Hughes had played a poor role in the last election, failing to strike many differences with Livingstone and opening up questions about his sexuality along with his policy choices leading to a loss in votes and MP's. Whereas Hughes managed to secure a Supply and Confidence deal with Labour, he has been challenged by a number of MP's in the center and the right of the party, with the young and largely unknown Nick Clegg as their standard-bearer:

The Candidates:

Simon Hughes: While weakened, Hughes vows to fight on and lead the party into a better result in the upcoming election, arguing he has what it takes to fight back. Hughes has defended his deal with Labour arguing the party needs to be a party of the progressive left, standing up for civil rights, environmentalism, more economically-leftist policies, and join a future coalition with Labour if necessary.

Nick Clegg: Despite being an inexperienced MP, the media-friendly Clegg has launched a fiery challenge to Hughes, advocating for the Liberal Democrats to move back into a "radical centre" more in tune with liberal (economically and socially) values than being a less radical version of Labour. More importantly, Clegg believes it was a mistake not to join forces with New Labour in an alliance, and argues that allying with Blair would provide the party with a real shot at power in the upcoming election.

[Kingpoleon]

We need not just to talk about the convenient issues. We need to talk about same sex marriage, and Hughes's hypocrisy on this issue. Hughes must either backtrack or resign, and since he refuses both, all true social liberals should vote Clegg!

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Voting Hughes...sorry Clegg, sorry my sig.

[Zioneer]

No turns to the right! Keep the Lib Dems a sensible, progressive party!

[DavidB.]

Clegg.

[MAINEiac4434]

This is gonna be close. Voted Hughes, but if Patten wins the Tory leadership I'll vote Tory in the next election regardless of who leads the Lib Dems.

[Intell]

This is gonna be close. Voted Hughes, but if Patten wins the Tory leadership I'll vote Tory in the next election regardless of who leads the Lib Dems.

A leftist right here!

[MAINEiac4434]

This is gonna be close. Voted Hughes, but if Patten wins the Tory leadership I'll vote Tory in the next election regardless of who leads the Lib Dems.

A leftist right here!

Patten's a good man, which is more than I can say for Livingstone, Clegg and Hughes.

[Intell]

This is gonna be close. Voted Hughes, but if Patten wins the Tory leadership I'll vote Tory in the next election regardless of who leads the Lib Dems.

A leftist right here!

Patten's a good man, which is more than I can say for Livingstone, Clegg and Hughes.

I mean if you want to enact policies that fyck the poor, and destroy (atleast reduce) the welfare state and tear the social state is a good man ok.

[Phony Moderate]

This is gonna be close. Voted Hughes, but if Patten wins the Tory leadership I'll vote Tory in the next election regardless of who leads the Lib Dems.

A leftist right here!

Patten's a good man, which is more than I can say for Livingstone, Clegg and Hughes.

I mean if you want to enact policies that fyck the poor, and destroy (atleast reduce) the welfare state and tear the social state is a good man ok.

The issue of Europe to the Tory Party is a bit like the issue of abortion to the GOP. That is, any Tory who is pro-EU is seen as a moderate/liberal regardless of their views on other matters, just as is the case with pro-choice GOPers.

[Lumine]

Woah, this might end up being a tie again.

[Maxwell]

lolol Clegg-mentum

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

Not Clegg

[Lumine]

Nick Clegg unseats Hughes as Lib Dem leader.