This time a selection of new members tell us their reason for joining after we asked them on Twitter.
First up, Dagmar Mackett from Bewdley in the West Midlands
I joined because I felt the LibDems received no credit for its record in Government. Yes, mistakes had been made, but punishing the party in such a way means putting liberal Britain as a whole in jeopardy. Voters will realise this once they understand the full extent of what the Tory government will push through in forthcoming months, and a new strong LibDem “movement” will be required to try to counter balance this.
Now David Luton-Brown:
I joined the party (from the Labour party) because the result of the general election – and Nick’s elegant, dignified and thoughtful resignation speech, made me really think about my values – and in thinking about them – to realise that the things I believe in and hold dear are much more in line with the core values of the Lib-Dems than they ever were with the Labour party. So here I am – and I have to say that joining felt like coming home.
I really believe that we have to keep fighting for an open, tolerant and ‘hopeful’ society. To stand with the poor and disadvantaged and to endlessly promote freedom and equality for everyone – only the Lib-Dems really promise these things – and have the will and policies to make them happen.
Fiona Dawson:
I’ve never been involved in a political party. When the Lib Dems first went into coalition with the Conservatives I thought they were a bit of a joke and a ‘wasted vote’. However over the life of the coalition I have become more and more impressed with Nick Clegg and in general with the way the Lib Dems quietly got on with government. They came out of it looking to me like a very credible party.
If I could have voted for another coalition I would have done, but there was no way to vote for it. I am horrified at what has happened and very scared of the Tory majority. I think it will lack the balance the coalition brought and I’m concerned at the undue influence of the far right with such a slim majority. I see the need for the Lib Dems and I think Westminster will suffer for their absence. I am desperately sorry that Nick Clegg has resigned and I think it’s just so unfair for him and for the party.
I do think the Lib Dems shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that all their policies were unpopular because I don’t think that’s the case at all. I believe people thought they were voting tactically and many are horrified at the result.
So that’s why I joined. I want the Lib Dems to come back stronger as a real force in politics. I think we need them and I want to help.
Robby Durrant:
I have always voted for the Liberals and then the Liberal Democrats, even when my vote had no chance of affecting the result where I lived. After the devastating result on Thursday I felt I had to take action and have joined the Party, hoping I will be able to help in The LibDemFightback.
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10 Comments
Welcome to all – we value your commitment and look forward to your input into reshaping the party
It is great to hear these reflections – and welcome to you all. Would it be possible to have some idea of where in our countries you all live?
I hope some regular contributors to this site will learn something from the comments of new members.
There has been a tendency since Friday (and before) to dwell on past decisions, and past mistakes – and no doubt lessons should be learnt.
But these new members bring a different perspective. They are appreciative of at least SOME of the achievements in government, and have some positive things to say about the outgoing leader. But more importantly are looking forward at the dangers majority Conservative rule will bring, and are looking for constructive ways to project the authentically liberal voice that willbe required. They recognise Labour – as instinctively reactionary as that party remains on issues like free speech, rehabilitation of offenders etc – are poorly placed to provide it.
A HUGE welcome to all those new members – you’re a breath of fresh air and I hope many of you will attend conference and develop into candidates and campaigners of the future. And I hope existing members – who naturally feel bruised and in some cases a bit jaded – will listen to the positivity you’re bringing to the party.
Please note what Fiona Dawson said:
“I do think the Lib Dems shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that all their policies were unpopular because I don’t think that’s the case at all.”
Welcome to our party, Fiona, and thank you for joining. We need tens of thousands more people like you to make our voice stronger.
I’m in Buckingham.
I agree with Bill Le Breton and Sir Norfolk Pissmore. The fresh views of new members (and indeed the views of those who have returned from exile) will be helpful in rebuilding the party. The more the merrier.
Thanks for the welcome. Bill, I’m in Derbyshire.
Thanks Nicol and Fiona .
I’m in Norfolk – just south of Norman’s constituency…
I am re-assured by these comments that our future is certain. We are not just a Party, we must develop more as a ‘movement’, so that the tectonic plates shift as a result. and as well as attracting new members from those who had never been involved in a party, perhaps we can draw in more from other parties, by building a dialogue and getting our principles more widely understood.
No longer must we talk of ‘tacking to the left/right’, and must reject any positioning in relation to others.. we stand on our own headland, lets attract more to join us.