Stuart Hughes (politician)
Encyclopedia
Stuart Hughes is an English
politician
representing voters at all three levels of local government
in Devon
, in the West of England
. He represents Sidford
as a councillor
on East Devon District Council
and on Devon County Council
, where he is currently Cabinet member
for Highways and Transportation. He is also a Sidmouth
town councillor.
After twice standing unsuccessfully for the House of Commons as a Raving Loony, he was elected at the district
and county
level in Devon in 1991 and 1993 for the Raving Loony Green Giant Party
, becoming the party's first successful candidate at a contested election of any kind. However, he transferred to the Conservatives
in 1997 and has been elected for them ever since.
in 1969. In the 1980s, he was a hotel
ier and the owner of a music club called Carinas in Fore Street, Sidmouth, and also an active member of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party
. At the European Parliament election, 1989, Hughes stood for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in the Devon constituency
of the European Parliament
, gaining 2,241 votes, almost 1% of the votes cast.
In 1989, he and others formed the breakaway Raving Loony Green Giant Party
(RLGGP), mainly due to personality clashes with their local party leader, Howling Laud Hope
.
He stood for parliament at the Mid Staffordshire by-election
of 22 March 1990 and the Ribble Valley by-election
of 7 March 1991, using the party labels "Raving Loony Green Giant Supercalafragalistic Party" and "Raving Loony Green Giant Clitheroe Kid" respectively. In Mid Staffordshire, he gained 59 votes, but improved on this in Ribble Valley to score 60.
In May 1991, Hughes was elected under the Raving Loony Green Giant Party banner to East Devon District Council and Sidmouth Town Council in the Sidmouth Woolbrook ward, after changing his name to 'Stuart Basil Fawlty
Hughes', becoming the first "Raving Loony" candidate to win a contested election. He formed an alliance of Independents
and a sole Green Party
councillor which was known as "The Coastals", because of the seaside seats they held. In 1993, Hughes was elected as a Raving Loony to Devon County Council, representing the Sidmouth Rural county division.
Hughes joined the Conservatives
in March 1997. This was just in time to stand as a Conservative candidate at the 1997 local elections
, when he was re-elected to Devon County Council. He repeated the feat at the 2001
, 2005
, and 2009 elections.
A supporter of the Sidmouth Folk Week, during the early 2000s Hughes was still organizing local live musical events, staging bands such as The Strawbs and The Wurzels
. Some forty years on from his debut as a disc jockey, he is still operating the 'Stuart Hughes Disco Show', using a Remote Control Frequencies
sound system
, a light show with LED technology
and laser
.
In Devon County Council, Hughes is currently the Cabinet
member for Highways and Transportation, and he also remains a member of East Devon District Council, where he served as the Cabinet portfolio holder for Communications from 2003 to 2011. He previously served as Chairman of the county's Environment Economy and Culture Overview Scrutiny Committee.
Hughes is also a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority
, President of Sidbury United Football Club, a governor of Sidmouth Infants School, and an organiser of the annual Sidmouth Carnival. He has stated that "Climate change
poses the greatest threat to Sidmouth", and his political priorities include a coastal protection scheme
, the creation of employment in the Sid Valley
, maximising the potential of the Jurassic Coast
World Heritage Site
, and pedestrianization.
At his most recent election, the Devon County Council election, 2009, Hughes won 3,553 votes, being 70.7 per cent of the votes cast, and had a majority of 2,428 over the Liberal Democrat runner-up.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
representing voters at all three levels of local government
Local government in the United Kingdom
The pattern of local government in England is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to the local arrangements. Legislation concerning local government in England is decided by the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, because England does not have a devolved...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, in the West of England
West of England
The West of England is a loose and locationally unspecific term sometimes given to the area surrounding the city and county of Bristol, England, and also sometimes applied more widely and in other parts of South West England.-Use in the Bristol area:...
. He represents Sidford
Sidford
Sidford is a small village in the civil parish of and on the outskirts of the town of Sidmouth in the English county of Devon. It has a population of just over 2100 people according to the 2001 Census....
as a councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
on East Devon District Council
East Devon
East Devon is a local government district in Devon, England. Its council is based in Sidmouth, and the largest town is Exmouth.The district was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the borough of Honiton with the urban districts of Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Ottery St. Mary, Seaton, Sidmouth...
and on Devon County Council
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, where he is currently Cabinet member
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
for Highways and Transportation. He is also a Sidmouth
Sidmouth
Sidmouth is a small town on the English Channel coast in Devon, South West England. The town lies at the mouth of the River Sid in the East Devon district, south east of Exeter. It has a population of about 15,000, of whom 40% are over 65....
town councillor.
After twice standing unsuccessfully for the House of Commons as a Raving Loony, he was elected at the district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
and county
County council
A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
level in Devon in 1991 and 1993 for the Raving Loony Green Giant Party
Raving Loony Green Giant Party
The Raving Loony Green Giant Party was a political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1989 by former members of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party after clashes between them and other members of the party over direction and party activities - in particular with regard to how the...
, becoming the party's first successful candidate at a contested election of any kind. However, he transferred to the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in 1997 and has been elected for them ever since.
Career
Hughes became a disc jockeyDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
in 1969. In the 1980s, he was a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
ier and the owner of a music club called Carinas in Fore Street, Sidmouth, and also an active member of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Official Monster Raving Loony Party
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party is a registered political party established in the United Kingdom in 1983 by musician and politician David Sutch , better known as Screaming Lord Sutch.-History:...
. At the European Parliament election, 1989, Hughes stood for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in the Devon constituency
Devon (European Parliament constituency)
Devon was a European Parliament constituency covering all of Devon in England, with the exception of the city of Plymouth.Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales...
of the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, gaining 2,241 votes, almost 1% of the votes cast.
In 1989, he and others formed the breakaway Raving Loony Green Giant Party
Raving Loony Green Giant Party
The Raving Loony Green Giant Party was a political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1989 by former members of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party after clashes between them and other members of the party over direction and party activities - in particular with regard to how the...
(RLGGP), mainly due to personality clashes with their local party leader, Howling Laud Hope
Howling Laud Hope
Alan "Howling Laud" Hope is the Leader of the United Kingdom's Official Monster Raving Loony Party . In 1999, following the death of the party's founder, Screaming Lord Sutch, Hope and his pet cat, Cat Mandu, were jointly elected as leaders of the OMRLP...
.
He stood for parliament at the Mid Staffordshire by-election
Mid Staffordshire by-election, 1990
The Mid Staffordshire constituency of the United Kingdom Parliament held a by-election on 22 March 1990. The result was the election of Labour candidate Sylvia Heal to succeed the previous Conservative Member of Parliament John Heddle, who had precipitated the byelection by committing...
of 22 March 1990 and the Ribble Valley by-election
Ribble Valley by-election, 1991
The Ribble Valley by-election, in Lancashire, England, was called in 1991 following the elevation of United Kingdom MP David Waddington to the House of Lords....
of 7 March 1991, using the party labels "Raving Loony Green Giant Supercalafragalistic Party" and "Raving Loony Green Giant Clitheroe Kid" respectively. In Mid Staffordshire, he gained 59 votes, but improved on this in Ribble Valley to score 60.
In May 1991, Hughes was elected under the Raving Loony Green Giant Party banner to East Devon District Council and Sidmouth Town Council in the Sidmouth Woolbrook ward, after changing his name to 'Stuart Basil Fawlty
Basil Fawlty
Basil Fawlty is the main character of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers, played by John Cleese. The character is often thought of as an iconic British comedy character, and has been deemed unforgettable despite only a dozen half-hour episodes ever being made....
Hughes', becoming the first "Raving Loony" candidate to win a contested election. He formed an alliance of Independents
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
and a sole Green Party
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
councillor which was known as "The Coastals", because of the seaside seats they held. In 1993, Hughes was elected as a Raving Loony to Devon County Council, representing the Sidmouth Rural county division.
Hughes joined the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in March 1997. This was just in time to stand as a Conservative candidate at the 1997 local elections
United Kingdom local elections, 1997
The United Kingdom local elections took place on the 1 May, 1997. Elections took place for all of the English shire counties, some English unitary authorities and all of the Northern Ireland districts...
, when he was re-elected to Devon County Council. He repeated the feat at the 2001
United Kingdom local elections, 2001
Local elections took place in some parts of the UK on the 7 June 2001. Elections took place for all of the English shire counties, some English unitary authorities and all of the Northern Ireland districts...
, 2005
United Kingdom local elections, 2005
Elections for local government were held in the England and Northern Ireland on 5 May 2005 along with the 2005 general election across the entire United Kingdom...
, and 2009 elections.
A supporter of the Sidmouth Folk Week, during the early 2000s Hughes was still organizing local live musical events, staging bands such as The Strawbs and The Wurzels
The Wurzels
The Wurzels are a British Scrumpy and Western band...
. Some forty years on from his debut as a disc jockey, he is still operating the 'Stuart Hughes Disco Show', using a Remote Control Frequencies
Remote control frequencies
Remote Control Frequencies, or RCF for short, is a Chicago-based amoebic musical project. Blending together genres including hip-hop, psychedelic rock, drum and bass and electronica, these sounds are then combined with samples, vocals, instruments, recorded and improvised noise, gadgets and...
sound system
Sound system (DJ)
A sound system is a group of DJs and engineers contributing and working together as one, playing and producing music.-Origin:The sound system concept originated in the 1950s in Kingston, Jamaica. DJs would load up a truck with a generator, turntables, and huge speakers to set up street parties...
, a light show with LED technology
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
and laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
.
In Devon County Council, Hughes is currently the Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
member for Highways and Transportation, and he also remains a member of East Devon District Council, where he served as the Cabinet portfolio holder for Communications from 2003 to 2011. He previously served as Chairman of the county's Environment Economy and Culture Overview Scrutiny Committee.
Hughes is also a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the counties of Devon and Somerset, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay, in South West England...
, President of Sidbury United Football Club, a governor of Sidmouth Infants School, and an organiser of the annual Sidmouth Carnival. He has stated that "Climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
poses the greatest threat to Sidmouth", and his political priorities include a coastal protection scheme
Coastal management
In some jurisdictions the terms sea defense and coastal protection are used to mean, respectively, defense against flooding and erosion...
, the creation of employment in the Sid Valley
River Sid
The River Sid is a minor river in East Devon. It flows for 10.5 kilometres southwards from a source in Crowpits Covert at a height of 206 metres above sea level...
, maximising the potential of the Jurassic Coast
Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. The site stretches from Orcombe Point near Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset, a distance of ....
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, and pedestrianization.
At his most recent election, the Devon County Council election, 2009, Hughes won 3,553 votes, being 70.7 per cent of the votes cast, and had a majority of 2,428 over the Liberal Democrat runner-up.
External links
- stuarthughes.co.uk - official web site