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Sir Simon Hughes - Attlee Memorial Lecture

 

Political minds were stimulated when the former Liberal Democrat deputy leader Sir Simon Hughes spoke at Haileybury College, writes David Rimmer.

The 64 year-old was the guest speaker at the Attlee Memorial lecture on Thursday.

Clement Attlee attended Haileybury before he later became Prime Minister in 1945 and the speaker paid rich tribute to the former.

He said: “In a book about leaders in the Labour party, Attlee was judged to be the best.

“This takes into account not just elections won but how a leader took the party forward and the policies that he implemented. He stood as leader in five general elections and also brought the party six million extra voters.”

He added: “Attlee got an extra 239 seats at the 1945 election [393 as opposed to 154 at the 1935 election].  Jeremy Corbyn would be pleased to do that.”

The talk was on leadership.

Hughes cited the present pope [Francis] as being a great leader of the church before talking about the qualities needed for a political leader.

He said: “You have to articulate a big vision and to have communication and campaign skills.

“Leadership can also involve acting on conscience or on cunning or both.”    

He added: “There are many people who do not make the headlines but who do important work.

“Dr [Alfred] Salter was a Labour MP (1922-1945) in Bermondsey. He was a republican when everybody else was a monarchist. He was teetotal and he helped to ensure a spa and solarium were established [in Bermondsey] to combat TB.

“He and David Lloyd George were my inspirations for going into politics.  Lloyd George was the last Liberal to be Prime Minister and he introduced state pensions and National Insurance.”

In a question and answer session, Hughes commented: “The Chilcott Inquiry [into the Iraq war] has gone on too long. There should be a set length of time for enquiries and they should have to stick to that and work the extra hours if necessary.

“Women MPs have much to offer. They can conciliate and not be macho as men are. People are put off standing in this country because of the press intrusion into personal lives and women are more protective of their families.” 

The event was attended by more than 200 people including students, staff and ex-staff.

Originally Written: 25-Jan-2016 12:01, Last Updated: 25-Jan-2016 12:01