Like many of my generation I have always been liberal, but it wasn’t until I first heard Nick Clegg talk about liberal values, that I began to suspect that I was a Liberal Democrat. Although I have always been interested and indirectly involved in politics I could never commit myself to any party. Through my professional career, I almost (accidentally) became a Conservative, co-authoring a policy paper for the oldest conservative think-tank, attending party conferences, but never feeling at home or at ease with the polarity of a party that houses rabid eurosceptics, social conservatives, libertarians and economic free-marketeers. The 2015 General Election has done nothing but confirm that I am, in fact a Liberal Democrat to the core, and damn the consequences.

Since polling day I have read and heard commentary questioning the point of the Lib Dems, mainly from Conservatives, cynically attempting to lock up their electoral majority for 2020. When I look at the alternatives I couldn’t disagree with them more. Politics is increasingly about what…what policies, and what benefit they bring to individuals or interest groups, the politics of self-interest. Almost no consideration is given to the more important question of why. When I think back to first hearing Nick talk about liberal values: about freedom, fairness and equality these fundamental principles resonated with how I live my life, they were my why.

It is all too easy to get caught up in the dogma of Left and Right, but the truth is that very few normal people fall exclusively into either camp, we agree with some things, and disagree with others to varying degrees. Our next leader must resist the conformity of defining our party in terms of left or right, as our fundamental principles of liberty and social justice cut across both sides. Already an unshackled Conservative government is talking about reducing liberty in the name of security, for employees and repealing the Human Rights Act, which is why liberals need to act, and now.

As the owner of a small business and an employer it is my genuine belief that the Liberal Democrats are the true party of social mobility. Conservatives can’t talk on this subject with any authenticity while at the same time drawing their narrow viewpoint from the same old families, schools and backgrounds, Labour is no better. Liberal Democrats can champion education as the catalyst to improve opportunity and the economy for all.

I am really excited about the possibilities for the future of our party, and am proud to call myself a Liberal Democrat.

* Mike Hewitson is a pharmacist by background, and own two businesses in rural West Dorset.