As a long-standing campaigner within the Liberal Democrats and someone who has represented the Young Liberals internationally, I’ve often said that liberalism is not just about policy. It’s about practice. That principle was reaffirmed at Studio Europe 2025, a gathering of young Liberal leaders from across the continent. It offered a valuable opportunity to reflect, collaborate, and sharpen the political tools we need to defend and renew democracy.
For our Party, the program also highlighted something more profound: that meaningful European exchange is not just a cultural or diplomatic nicety. It is essential to rebuild the liberal centre ground and inspire a new generation of democratic leaders.
Among the sessions, two stood out in particular: one on coalition negotiation, and the other on political integrity. These are issues we in the UK are familiar with. While we’ve excelled at campaign innovation and digital messaging, our internal development programmes often overlook the strategic demands of political leadership, particularly what it means to govern without losing sight of our values.
The coalition negotiation workshop was especially timely. Having worked at both local and international levels of liberal organising, I’ve long understood the tension between compromise and principle. The session helped formalise that understanding: how to identify red lines, assess risk, and build alliances that accommodate ideological difference without losing your core identity.
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