Author Archives: Stephen O'Brien

Liberalism must mean something again

I have been a Liberal Democrat, and part of the wider liberal tradition, for my entire adult life. I believe there has rarely been a more important time for liberal politics to be at the forefront of British public life.

Yet too often, our party seems more comfortable talking about blocking 16 and 17-year-olds from social media than trusting the same young people we have long argued should have the right to vote.

That matters.

Liberalism is not meant to be timid. It is not meant to chase every passing moral panic. It is not meant to dress itself up as small-c social conservatism in the hope that people who do not share our values might suddenly decide to vote for us. They will not. Worse than that, it risks alienating the very people who naturally look to a liberal party for leadership, courage and principle.

In 2024, the Liberal Democrats got the campaign right. We returned to Parliament in significant numbers, and that achievement should not be dismissed. It was a remarkable electoral success.

But what have we done with it?

We have gone from being a party that once had a huge impact on British politics to one that too often seems willing to support almost anything if it gets a cheap headline. For a party with our history, that is not good enough.

We are the party of Gladstone, Lloyd George, Grimond, Ashdown and the long liberal tradition of reform, liberty, internationalism and individual freedom. Yet today, too many people remember us less for bold liberal ideas and more for stunts. That should worry every single one of us.

For me, the problem is simple: we are missing the moment, and in doing so we are forgetting our purpose.

The Liberal Democrats should be the party of liberalism. That means defending civil liberties, trusting individuals, challenging the overreach of the state, standing up for democratic reform, protecting human rights, and being radical where the country needs radical answers.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 10 Comments

Labour has abandoned disabled people – the new nasty party has arrived

The Labour Party has officially abandoned disabled people. Worse still, they are trying to spin it as a success story, framing cuts to vital support as an increase in employment. But we see through it. This is not a genuine attempt to support disabled people into work. It is a cold, calculated attempt to cut costs at the expense of those who rely on support to live independently and contribute to society.

For years, the Conservative Party earned the title of the “nasty party” when it came to welfare reform. Their cuts to benefits, their cruel and arbitrary assessments, and their obsession with slashing support for the most vulnerable have caused immense suffering. Yet now, Labour has stolen their clothes. Keir Starmer’s party, which once promised to stand up for working people and the most vulnerable, has become indistinguishable from the Tories when it comes to welfare.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 13 Comments

PIP: A lifeline for disabled people to work and live independently

PIP (Personal Independence Payment) isn’t just another welfare benefit. It’s absolutely essential for disabled people who want to work and remain part of society. For so many, it’s the key to overcoming barriers and being able to lead the lives they choose, despite the many challenges they face. PIP helps cover the extra costs associated with disabilities, from getting to work to needing a carer to assist them throughout the day. It’s not just a handout, but a vital tool that allows disabled individuals to live with dignity and independence.

The importance of PIP cannot be overstated. It enables people to get into work, stay there, and contribute to society, instead of being stuck on the sidelines. It’s about providing an equal opportunity for disabled people to engage in the workforce, despite the physical and financial obstacles they might encounter. Without PIP, many disabled people simply wouldn’t be able to work, or would struggle to stay in employment. PIP helps level the playing field, enabling disabled people to live more independently and participate fully in society, just like everyone else.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 7 Comments

Why we shouldn’t just jump on the UBI bandwagon

While debating other liberals about Universal Basic Income (UBI) it occurred to me that UBI isn’t a voter winner, certainly outside of London. Nor is it actually workable.

One policy, suggested on Lib Dem Voice by Darren Martin, was to pay a £830 Univeral Basic Income to each citizen age 15 and over. This would be an increase to average incomes for those aged 15-24, but when you study the policy closer you begin to see huge faults with it.

This policy would actually have a negative impact on those aged 25 and over who claim some support at the …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 43 Comments
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Recent Comments

  • Jason Connor
    How about the coastal and other towns left behind due to labour inertia? It's all well and good transforming Greater Manchester if you can call it that, but I h...
  • Peter Davies
    Those words at the beginning of the declaration were pretty disingenuous. It was obvious even at the time that they were incompatible with the rest of the decla...
  • TimL
    Thanks Alex and Chloe. FWIW I don't think these are resignation honours - I think it is just timing coincidence. Whether Starmer comes back with more resignatio...
  • Simon McGrath
    Oh dear. The UK is actually doing quite well for AI firms and investment here - would the state taking over some of the shares make that more or less likely to...
  • Simon McGrath
    Ironic that the first comment is anti semitic conspiracy theory. Alex missed out the part of the Balfour declaration "it being clearly understood that nothing...