Author Archives: Kieron Franks

I know that I’m not alone in contemplating what our next steps as a party are. We see the Greens and Reforms cut through on the media circuit and their memberships have seen stark rises as a result. Whilst each of these parties have almost diametrically opposed platforms, they do have one thing in common: having a vision for the country they want to see.

Reform is selling a “return” to a rose-tinted view of the past, where Britain stood alone and strong and where their interpretation of traditional values made the world less confusing. As Liberals, we understand that what makes Britain great is its strong internationalism and global relationships that build wealth for everyone, rather than squabbling over ever-decreasing portions of the pie as others seek to build walls and sow division. We know that for many of those leading Reform, traditional values mean a return to deference, letting the rich take advantage while everyone else is left to fight over the little that remains.

The Greens meanwhile are selling a future where everyone is free to succeed and live free of poverty and conformity, as well as creating a carbon-free society. Unsurprisingly, that is an aspiration we share! However, the Greens fall down in having no idea how to get there, with their leader offering whatever he thinks will gain them votes, even if that ultimately moves them further away from their goal. They also misunderstand that aspiration is not a negative but a fundamental aspect of society that pushes us to innovate and achieve more as individuals and as a collective society.

Each of these views is enticing to some aspect of a society that seems fundamentally broken. Quality of life is something that seems like a distant memory, rather than something achievable. Young people are feeling left behind as it become ever more difficult to reach the life that was sold to them as the reward for all of their hard work. No wonder why so many feel disenfranchised and left behind by the system.

The good news is that we have already have a plan for a Liberal Britain, one where these aspirations are achievable, rather than a pipe dream  – it is laid out in page after page of party policy! We have a plan that can create a world where everyone has a home and small businesses can thrive as part of a culture that celebrates a diverse economy and society. Indeed, in many parts of the country, Lib Dem-led councils are doing their bit to make this vision a reality, building affordable homes and providing services that make their corner of Britain a better place to live. But they can’t do this by themselves.