Simon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey. He is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and has been President of the Liberal Democrats since September 1, 2004. The party president chairs a number of party committees and also represents the party at official functions. He has twice run unsuccessfully for the leadership of the party and was its unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of London in the 2004 election.