The political life of Britain over the centuries has been a struggle for democracy and for self-determination by our communities. This has been a struggle for liberty against tyrannical monarchs, despotic landowners, exploitative colonialists, and a centralised state operating in its own interests. This is the struggle for liberal democracy.
The prosperity of Britain is rooted in the successes of this struggle - equality and the freedom to work where you want to and start your own business if you wish – the idea that you pay taxes and then elect the people to spend that money the way you want it spent – the idea that disputes and criminal activities are judged by independent courts and normal members of the community – and accountability and ‘challengeability’ for everyone, including the rich, the bureaucrats and the politicians, under the law.
The key to Britain’s success and extraordinary scientific achievements has been the freedom of its people, the healthy scepticism of government power, and a strong dislike of monopolies – in business, politics, religion or in our communities.
Socialism didn’t work – the heavy state became oppressive and inefficient. Conservatism didn’t work – the ‘liberal conservatives’ always get crushed by the ‘rich conservatives’.
In Britain today, the flag carriers for the liberal democratic roots of our success, are the Liberal Democrats. You can help carry the flag forward by joining the Liberal Democrat Party, making a donation, or becoming a ‘friend of liberal democracy’.
It has become more important today to stand up for liberal democracy – the economic crisis and the robbing of the people, the erosion of freedom in the ID card scheme and the ‘surveillance society’, and the rise of ant-foreigner nationalist parties, all challenge us to support our freedoms and our democracy.
To become a ‘Friend of NW Leics Lib Dems, simply send an email to paulreynoldslibdem@gmail.com from the email address you want to be contacted on, with the subject heading ‘Friend of the LibDems’.
If you want to become a member of the Party, go to the Membership Page
Donate to North West Leicestershire Liberal Democrats
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