If any more proof were needed, budget day and the abuse of expenses by Cabinet Ministers suffice. We are witnessing the death throes of a Labour government after over a decade of self-serving centralisation, waste and intrusion.
The Conservatives may be ahead in the polls, but it is hard to work out what answers they think they have. They are not advocating anything other than twiddling at the margins.
They believe their strongest argument is that their leader is not Gordon Brown. This is pathetic. Cameron is terrified to offer a real alternative, while his party is tied to its illiberal roots.
I believe that UK needs a radical change of direction. The modern day high-spending, more-legislation, cosy and corrupt consensus has been a disaster.
I want the Liberal Democrats to offer a real and distinct alternative. That’s why we at Liberal Vision are proposing less government and more personal freedom as the best means of increasing prosperity, peace and fairness in Britain.
Today Liberal Vision launches its new website, deliberately in a blog style. It’s available at the same URL as before, here…
We have opted for this format as part of our commitment to encourage debate within the party.
Another new Lib Dem blog that has launched recently is that of the Social Liberal Forum, and we welcome their arrival on the scene. Although I disagree with much of what they say, I’m glad they are saying it and am very pleased that they are doing so within the Liberal Democrats.
I want an honest, frank and open debate about policy within the Lib Dems, our broad church, mainstream party. We should feel confident in embracing and discussing new radical ideas.
If you agree with our ideas then please join us here . But either way, we would be delighted to hear your comments and criticisms.
* Ed Joyce has been a member or supporter of the Liberal Democrats and their predecessors since joining the Young Liberals in 1979. He is currently Ward Organiser for the marginal Walpole ward in Ealing.
Editor’s note: Lib Dem blogger Charlotte Gore welcomes the emergence of the Liberal Vision site HERE:
… it’s an opportunity to get more classically liberal/libertarian stuff out into the Lib Dem blogosphere – for better or worse. I won’t agree with everything they say or do, but I’d rather they were saying it, and, in combination with the SLF, keep the debates alive.
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5 Comments
Isn’t Charlotte one of the Directors??
Hmmm.
Looked at the site and still wondering how this relates to human beings thus society as YOU and I know them??
Is this all just theory based? Because that’s how it seems on the site…just ‘ideas…’…but then not really ideas that you can get your ‘teeth’ into..to see HOW this would work WITH the society we would have now…
I guess what you are saying is ‘Liberterians don’t care if you drop down and die in front of their face OR how…it WAS your choice and YOUR business THUS your freedom’
I’m assuming you don’t all come from a deeply disadvantage background (re working class..and poor) because I’m baffled as to HOW your liberties as erm, middle-y, muddle-y, priviliged has come underway??
Which brings to me to the point that you actually DON’T care.
Fair enough.
YOU just want less regulation and red tape to possibly colonise another country for gold, diamonds, rice..(??!)…to become richer (and not answer those DARN pesky questions)..and to create a wider gap between the poor and the rich..which unless we are brain damaged makes the society we live ‘ever, not so happy, oh!’
Right.
I’m all for Liberal Freedom but can’t stand from Liberal Freedom for ME because I want it.
Keep on at this rate and we’ll bring back the greek and roman times! No rules! No regulations! (But a little!)
I notice they’re asking for Guido Fawkes to be part of a parliamentary standards commission.
A drunken, previously bankrupt blogger who is class at smearing politicians (one of whom happened to be a Libdem) should clean out our politics! Brilliant! Liberal Vision will go far, no doubt.
Ranter,
I look after the blog.
I come from a poor, working class background, with very young single mother. Wasn’t always like that, but I’ve been there. As an adult I have lived in squalid bedsits, council states and only recently in an actual house in a nice area. I have lived on £20 a week for *everything*, and been poor enough to get hospitalised from malnutrition.
You assume, then, incorrectly.
Despite all the financial hardship I’ve faced, despite not having had the advantage of a first class education, or wealthy parents I’ve still ended up firmly believing in the importance of freedom and the benefits of economic liberalism as the right way of sorting out many of the problems this society faces, improving quality of life, reducing unemployment and poverty.
I know it doesn’t make sense to you, but I can assure you I care more than you could possibly understand.
@ranter
You’ve got the vulgar libertarians down, but what about us more thorough libertarians? (yes, I admit I’ve been rather vulgar in the past, I hope I’m beyond that).
The regulations you praise are designed by the powerful to benefit themselves, raising inequality of authority and wealth.
The disadvantaged you rightly feel concern for are disadvantaged by the actions of the state in supporting the appropriation of land in the 18th and 19th centuries, in removing community support in the 20th century through the exclusive welfare state and the high tax regime.
They suffer thanks to the suppression of innovation by the ruling classes and the banking monopoly which has caused this recent crisis and causes the artificially high interest rates.
They suffer thanks to the planning laws which create artificially scarce housing.
Some may not care if people fall by the wayside, but ask yourself – if we lived in a society without state welfare, would you support those who need help through no fault of there own? I would, I’m sure most people here would. If the state didn’t take so much of my income I’d be happy to spend some of it in a friendly society for insurance and to help the less well off members. I’d feel more secure that in the event of unemployment or illness I’d have support mechanisms too.
As for Liberal Vision, whether they fall on this side, or on the vulgar libertarian side of things remains to be seen, but please don’t dismiss them out of hand.
Never mind all this, I’m just deeply disappointed that Ed has chosen to leave Middlesex for a “more glamorous” county. How will we ever return to the glory days of Gatt, Embers & co if our best players up sticks so readily :o(