Simon Hughes goes to work for Open University

Former Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes is to oversee public affairs for the Open University.

The ex-MP for Bermondsey is to become the university’s head of public affairs for one year, covering for maternity leave…

In recent years, the Open University has been campaigning for more support for part-time students and greater recognition of the economic and social value of part-time university courses. [Public Affairs News]

This role follows naturally from one that Simon Hughes had during the last Parliament:

Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, has been appointed to a new role of advocate for access to higher education, in a signal that the coalition is prepared to reshape its plans to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds.