Anyone who has been active within the liberal family in the UK, Europe or internationally would know of and remember Robert Woodthorpe-Browne MBE

As I write this blog from the 64th Congress of Liberal International in Santiago, Chile, I cannot help but think of him.  Were he still with us today, he would most certainly be at Congress, networking in Spanish like a local (just as he was as fluent in French and German), knowledgeable, affable and quintessentially internationalist.

The theme of this Congress was the Future of Freedom, apposite for this time in history, as we encounter the rise of populism in Europe and America, and escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.  Indeed, this theme was explored in a round table discussion expertly led by Lord John Alderdice, on the Future of Liberalism.  I would like to share a few nuggets that I took away from the discussions.

Informed by history and philosophical thinkers such as Isaiah Berlin, John called on Liberals to seek a more thoughtful way forward.  What do we mean by freedom and liberty, he asked?  It could be negatively defined as freedom from oppression, or positively, as the freedom of choice, the ability to do what one chooses without fear or retribution.

John mentioned 3 important points:
1. We may be individuals, but we also exist through relationships, and we must consider the individual’s place in their community.
2. We assume that people have rational cognitive faculties, but we are also emotional beings who more often think emotionally.
3. Science itself is developing, complex systems engage with each other, opening up new possibilities.

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, there was an initial euphoria that liberal democracy had prevailed.   We have however since realised that that was not to be.  Instead, we have found ourselves in a world that is far more complex.  There was a need to recognize “plurality of values” and liberalism has to be relevant to the lives of ordinary people. 

As liberals our responsibility is to stay true to our roots, whilst at the same time, to be open to new ideas and tolerant of those with views which are different from ours.  John made reference to Ed Shapiro’s book “Finding a Place to Stand” (2020), encouraging self-reflection and asking the question even of those whom we disagree with (e.g. Trump): “What are they right about?”

Liberalism may be a great philosophy, but we also need to find ways of applying it at times of war (whether a hot war or in cyber-space) or under regimes that do not tolerate dissent.  Activities outside an autocratic regime may adversely impact the lives and freedom of relatives and compatriots still living in the system.  And there is the challenge that many may be willing to trade freedom for material or other needs.  Meanwhile, the impact of science and innovation may lead to unforeseen consequences (eg Heisenberg and the Manhattan Project). 

This brings me back to Robert as one of his last and possibly most impactful legacies was the founding of the Paddy Ashdown Forum thinktank (“PAF”) with systems thinker and practitioner, Chris Gleadle.  PAF is one of 12 thinktanks which are members of Liberal International and Lord Alderdice agreed earlier this year to be our Patron along with Lady Jane Ashdown. 

I am both humbled and proud (if it is possible to feel those conflicting sentiments at the same time) to carry on Robert’s legacy on the board of the Paddy Ashdown Policy and Research Forum (parent not-for-profit company of PAF). 

Thank you and RIP Robert.  We will always remember you.  

* Merlene was co-founder of Chinese Liberal Democrats and on the executive of the LibDems Overseas. She co-edited “Rise of China – Fresh Insights and Observations” published by the Paddy Ashdown Forum (2021)