Author Archives: John Lubbock

Agenda 2020 Essay #17: What it means to be a Liberal Democrat today

Editor’s Note: The party is currently running an essay competition for members of the Liberal Democrats, to submit 1000 words on the theme “What it means to be a Liberal Democrat today.” The deadline for contributions was yesterday. If you would like us to publish your submission, send it to [email protected].

I’m not going to tell you what it means to be a Liberal Democrat. I’m going to tell you what it means to be a Liberal.

Party fortunes come and go, but the Liberal Project is proud list of social achievements which have improved the lives of of millions of people across the world since the time of the Enlightenment. It’s a tradition of thought that aspires to create a world that is always better than the one in which we live, and for that reason it is fundamentally optimistic and looks to empower the best of human nature. Our capacity for compassion and empathy, generosity, rationality, forgiveness and the knowledge that while any person is still oppressed by injustice of any kind, I myself cannot be truly free.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 5 Comments
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  • John Hann
    Over the last 40 years we have sold off almost everything that is not nailed down including most of our manufacturing industries. As a result young men unqua...
  • Mick Taylor
    When I went to university about 5-6% of the population did so. I studied economics. After 4 years at 2 universities, I found there was little or no work in my f...
  • Meg Thomas
    This is an excellent article. Thanks. 'Men held more power a century ago.' Sorry, men still hold more power. This can still be the case whilst we also see ...
  • GWYN WILLIAMS
    Excellent thought provoking article...
  • Simon Robinson
    @Chloe. I think you're right to say that the state doesn't owe anyone a living. However, if society is to function effectively, then we do need to make sure tha...