17/01/03 - News and city section(posted 7768 days ago)Hughes will join Mayor race
By Joe Murphy, Whitehall EditorEvening Standard
Simon Hughes will next week abandon his ambition to be Liberal Democrat deputy leader - and fight to become London Mayor.His decision will spark a new contest to succeed Alan Beith for the centre party's number two slot under Charles Kennedy.
It could also dramatically change the odds when Ken Livingstone fights to stay in office in the 2004 mayoral election.
Mr Hughes, Lib-Dem home affairs spokesman, confirmed today he will be making a statement on Tuesday. "It is obviously a very tricky decision," he said. "I have consulted widely among friends and colleagues and I have made up my mind. I will be making an announcement next week." His decision not to challenge for the deputy leadership will astonish some colleagues. The Bermondsey MP, a Left-winger, had lobbied hard for the post and was regarded as a shoo-in.
A moderniser closer to Mr Kennedy is now likely to get the job. Mr Beith is vacating it to take on a major Commons committee.
Only two weeks ago Mr Hughes said he was likely to drop out of the mayoral race to pursue his Westminster ambitions.
He came under pressure from senior supporters in the party to stand for Mayor because he is seen as the most likely candidate to beat Mr Livingstone. One supporter said: "He is the only candidate who can win it for us. If he succeeds he will become one of the most important people in the party.
"Simon is aware of the responsibility and although he could easily win a vote for deputy leader, this is in reality a bigger and better challenge."
Susan Kramer, who stood for the Lib-Dems last time and is pressing for a second chance against Mr Livingstone, is likely to be dismayed.
A poll for the Evening Standard disclosed last month that Mr Hughes had twice as much support as she did among voters. It put him on 24 per cent, which was also ahead of Labour candidate Nicky Gavron.
©2003 Associated New Media