And eighteenthly...

After 38 years as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Bermondsey (32 years as the MP), Sir Simon Hughes has officially retired from politics to concentrate on various community activities including being Chair of Governors at Bacon's College and Chancellor of London Southbank University.

Last night at the Shortwave Cafe in Bermondsey there was a celebration of Simon's work for the Liberal Democrats in Bermondsey, in London, and nationally.

Interspersed with speeches, were video contributions from past members, and a Skype Call from Nick Clegg, prevented from being present in person.

It was warm, affectionate, and amusing.

We heard of his amazing energy and commitment to the constituency. His warmth as an  individual, of the countless families that he had helped, of his capacity to attend 5 different events in the same evening, running on what became known as 'Hughes time,' and of his inclusion in a book of political quotations with the famous line 'And eighteenthly..'

It was a well deserved tribute to massive act of public service, sustained over nearly four decades, and still not ended. Thank you, Simon.