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"As someone who has opposed the decision of the Lib Dems to go into coalition with the Tories, there have been very few bright spots. But the appointment of Simon Hughes as a justice minister was definitely one of them. As friends and colleagues in the youth sector will agree, he has been a consistent supporter of young people and those who work with them. Now he has the opportunity to seek to progress many of those policies on youth justice included in the Lib Dem Youth Justice Policy, Taking Responsibility. As chair of the working group that produced it, I am passionate about the policies it advocates, not least raising the age of criminal responsibility - a long overdue reform in this country. One thing I can say for certain, he will be a rare creature in government, someone who really listens and genuinely cares. For all of us connected to the sector, he will be an important voice for the multitude of vulnerable young people who all too often remain voiceless. "