Hughes News September 2007

Written by Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Federal Party President on Mon 17th Sep 2007

It already seems a long time since the beautifully warm party conference week in Brighton. Like you, I very much feel that we have marched ourselves up to nearly the top of the hill and have now been told we can go back down again. But that's politics - and the consequence of an unwritten constitution with no fixed terms for the UK parliament. Happily, the momentum for change on this issue is growing and all converts are welcome. We just must be careful that our well-earned reputation as the leaders in constitutional reform is not lost as others scramble on board. It is not just political party members who would benefit from regular elections - the certainty would benefit local government, business, and the voters as well. As so often, Westminster now needs to follow the lead of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Before going on to other things, I warmly thank all our staff, particularly those involved in organising a very well run and successful conference, and Chris Rennard, Hillary Stephenson and all our campaigns team and those around the country who are our agents and organisers on the fantastic work done in recent weeks in anticipation of an autumn 2007 general election. Their efforts will certainly not be wasted. Some of you may have been present when I gave my autumn presidential speech at Conference, and it is of course available on my website and elsewhere. However, because many Liberal Democrat News readers could not make it to Conference this year, I want to repeat some of the things I said last month, because they are still absolutely relevant.

There is always, in this media-driven age, lots of talk of party leaders. But we must never forget that members are as important as leaders. Keeping existing members and recruiting new members and supporters is as always the precondition to success for our party. It is particularly important to recruit young members and student members. And particularly important to recruit them now. Many young people who join parties for the first time at college or university are those who go on to the most exciting positions of leadership in our party. So, go out and sell the product to our students and young people. The reward may be the best political investment you'll ever make.

I was so pleased that, at Brighton, we made the point of celebrating 40 years since the Association of Liberal Councillors was formed. To the officers and staff of ALC and ALDC over 40 years, we owe a huge debt of gratitude. May ALDC grow from strength to strength. But the success of ALDC, of their publications, their training, their advice and their practical help is not just about winning elections, it is about reminding us how to serve people and serve people well, once we are elected. In many ways, being elected is the easy part. Doing the casework, attending the community meetings, leading the campaigns, being available week in, week out, is much more demanding. But when we serve the community well, the community rewards us well. In the old phrase: 'Where we work, we win'.

I hope everybody responded to Ming's call for us all to canvass in the last week of September. In North Southwark and Bermondsey, we certainly did - and very successfully. We must now keep up the canvassing regularly every week. I'll let you into a secret: most people quite like having one of us on their doorstep - if we canvass smilingly, quickly and well! Canvassing on its own is not sufficient. We must always do good canvassing, good voter identification, and effective collection of information and communication of messages. The better we canvass and campaign, the better the results will be. When new and enthusiastic people join, remember, we want a combination of raw talent plus good training.

PS. I am very grateful for the many messages of support which have come to me over recent weeks. My family and I have been really helped by the thoughts, wishes and prayers from many party colleagues as we have supported my mother in her very difficult illness. Thanks to wonderful doctors, nurses and others in our hospitals, Paddy is still with us and although still in intensive care, has had some really encouraging progress in the last week. Everybody at some time or another goes through these very difficult family times. It is a great encouragement also to have the support from a wider family of colleagues and friends.