Author Archives: Derek Meyer

Derek Meyer

The rules rule

By Derek Meyer | Tue 24th March 2026 - 3:41 pm

The Liberal Democrats have long prided themselves on being upholders of the rule of law and defenders of legal principles – a David standing against the philistine Trump in defence of the rules-based international order.

This plays well within the party, but it is worth asking whether this framing is as effective with the electorate as we assume. We risk misreading the national mood and how international law is understood by many voters. More importantly, our own policy positions do not always reflect the consistency that this stance implies.

Take illegal immigration, one of the most emotive issues in British politics today. Many voters see the issue in stark terms: illegal immigration is illegal, yet those arriving illegally are not prosecuted and are instead supported with accommodation and services.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | 13 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • expats
    Chloe 11th Oct '26 - 10:39am.........expats; Looking at the big three economies in the EU – maybe they have a point. Where is this magical growth going to com...
  • Hywel
    Found this. Doesn't sound like a challenge is coming soon! https://www.politics.co.uk/2026/10/full-list-where-lib-dem-mps-stand-as-bid-to-topple-ed-davey-em...
  • Hywel
    I'm surprised nothing further has developed from Charlie Maynard's resignation. Usually with these things there is a sort of plan so the first stone leads to a...
  • Chloe
    expats; Looking at the big three economies in the EU - maybe they have a point. Where is this magical growth going to come from. Stagnant growth across the big ...
  • Alex Macfie
    Some 15 years ago, we came out firmly against the state-backed internet surveillance proposal that was in vogue at the time, namely "three strikes" internet dis...