Sir Simon Hughes was selected as the Liberal Democrat’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark – his former constituency – on Tuesday, in preparation of a potential snap general election.
A meeting of party members met in Southwark to discuss what they would do if the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, decided to call a vote in the next nine months.
Sir Simon was the MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark for 32 years, losing his seat to Labour’s Neil Coyle in 2015.
The Liberal Democrats are said to be planning their candidates across the country in case the Conservatives decide to take advantage of their twenty point lead over Labour.
Tim McNally, Chair of Bermondsey and Old Southwark Liberal Democrats, confirmed to the News that Sir Simon “has been selected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark in the event of a snap election”, with a formal announcement being made on Monday.
MP Neil, who has recently been outspoken over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, said: “Thousands of former Lib Dems chose me last year for Labour because they knew they couldn’t trust the Lib Dems any more.
“He voted for the bedroom tax and betrayed students when the coalition hiked tuition fees. I have helped thousands of people in the last eighteen months and will continue to work hard for local people.
“Bermondsey and Old Southwark needs a Labour MP and Government to prevent another Tory Government or Hughes working as Tory Minister in another Lib Dem coalition.”