On Friday, 30 January, my piece introducing the Jenkinsite Group was published.

At that time, we had been active for roughly a fortnight and boasted 94 members. Since then, some things have certainly changed.

For one, we now have 203 members, a welcome increase. We also have more regular discussions about our party’s history, book recommendations, and deep dives into what the party is doing well and what it could do better. But the biggest development is arguably the most exciting.

Following a membership consultation period, we have decided to add a new dimension to the group’s purpose: we will now develop and propose party policies to provide a consistent liberal-social-democratic perspective on the challenges our society faces, from democracy and the economy to policing and social justice, and beyond.

And, of course, with a change in direction, so too does the name change. We are officially no longer The Jenkinsite Group and are now The Jenkinsite Policy Network.

We’ve got a few ideas on what to do going forward, which will all be discussed in the coming weeks and months, most likely via Zoom. Members are more than welcome to join; there is no expectation to speak, if you would rather just come along and get a feel for what we’re all about.

Our group’s core tenets remain the same. We support:

• Multilateralism
• Electoral reform
• Social libertarianism
• Liberal internationalism
• Liberal social democracy
• Pro-European Integration
• Support for a social market economy

Our daily discussions will continue, too. There is no obligation for members to partake in policy discussions. If they would feel more comfortable simply as lay members, engaging in chats and book recommendations, that is absolutely fine.

As before, the invite is open to all Lib Dems who are interested in joining us.

If that’s you, then click here.

* Jack Meredith is a member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and an active campaigner and canvasser with Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats. His writing focuses on democratic reform, social justice, trade unionism, economic democracy, and the institutional foundations of effective government. He has written for the Fabians, Lib Dem Voice, Liberator, Nation Cymru, Bylines Cymru, and Centre Think Tank.