Tatchell backs Hughes
Time to forgive and forget Bermondsey dirty tricks

"Simon Hughes is the best of the Lib Dem leadership candidates. If I was a party member, he'd get my vote. I want to see a stronger lead on social justice and green issues. Despite his recent drift to the centre, Simon is the contender most likely to move the Liberal democrats in a progressive direction."

This endorsement comes from Peter Tatchell, the former Labour candidate, who was defeated by Simon Hughes in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election - regarded by many commentators as the dirtiest and most violent election in Britain in the last 100 years.

Mr Tatchell, now a member of the Green Party, says it is "time to forgive and forget the Liberals smear campaign in 1983."

"The Liberals fought a very dirty campaign during the Bermondsey by-election," said Tatchell.

"Some of their male canvassers went around the constituency wearing lapel stickers emblazoned with the words 'I've been kissed by Peter Tatchell', in a blatant bid to win the homophobic vote."

"On the doorsteps they spread false rumours that I was chair of the local gay society - no such society existed."

"A party member involved in the Liberal campaign in 1983 confessed to me that the Liberals were behind the anonymous and illegal campaign leaflet, 'Which Queen Will You Vote For?', which ridiculed my sexuality and invited local voters to have a go at me by listing my home address and phone number."

"But that is in the past. I don't hold grudges."

"The Lib Dems are, unfortunately, not a radical Party. They are signed up to the pro-business, neo-liberal economic project of globalisation. Nevertheless, in Lib Dem terms, Simon is on the left of the party. Of all the leadership contenders, he is the most progressive. I hope he is elected Party leader. His election could help shift British politics a little further left-of-centre."

"Simon is preferable to the free market 'Orange Book' supporters, who want to move the party closer to the Tories. Moves to reposition the Liberal Democrats to the right would be a disaster."

"I am on the left of the Green Party. I don't support the Lib Dems, but if I was a member I would vote for Simon as leader."

"Although he lacks the radical vision of the Green Party, compared to the other leadership candidates Simon has a better record on human rights, social justice and environmental issues," said Mr Tatchell.

see also
Simon Hughes, e'es a Raver!
Is Hughes on Rocks?
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