A New Year Message from the Social Liberal Forum...
Few pundits are prepared to call the outcome of the General
Election, but another hung
parliament is expected. While it looks likely that the current
coalition government will limp on until May, Liberal Democrat
campaigners should continue to hit the campaign trail in our nearest
target seats, to emphasise our progressive achievements, and once
finalised by the Federal Policy Committee, the social liberal parts of
our manifesto. Norman Lamb’s radical work on mental
health policy deserves special mention.
For Liberal Democrats, the General Election will
undoubtedly be difficult. Over the past four and a half years, the
Social Liberal Forum has consistently advised the Liberal Democrat
leadership to differentiate themselves from their Tory coalition
partners. We’ve also fought hard to protect the NHS from marketisation
and the welfare budget from cuts; we’ve repeatedly called for
Keynesian inspired infrastructure spending, the avoidance of another
credit bubble and an increase in home building; and we were among the
first in the Party to champion banking reform and a rebalancing of the
economy. Though the SLF helped win many victories on the Conference
floor, at times, the leadership has ignored Conference, instead
closely aligning with Cameron and Osborne and avowedly seeking to
redefine the Party as centrist.
While we must campaign hard for Lib Dem MPs and PPCs,
many of us will also be looking to post-May to re-root the Party in
its own distinct principles and values as a radical and progressive
political force.
The Social Liberal Forum exists to reduce gaps in wealth
and power. It was therefore with interest, if not despair, that many
social liberals chose to read Thomas Piketty's 'Capital in the 21st
Century' over the summer. His main thesis is that the rate of return
on wealth will always be greater than the overall growth of the
economy, meaning that the gap between the asset wealthy and the rest
will widen exponentially.
Thus, a big issue over the next ten years will be the
application of Piketty's analysis to the yawning and ever increasing
gap between the rich and poor, which successive chancellors have
chosen to preside over. Unless radically addressed, it will lead to
economic stagnation and widespread social and political upheaval, and
not just in the UK.
What Can I Do To Help?
1. Login to our brand new website to
take part in discussions; get in touch if you'd like to submit an
article.
2. Volunteer – put your editing, coding, event
organising, & other skills to use! Get
in touch if you'd like to volunteer.
3. Help us grow – recruit your friends and colleagues
to join
the SLF. Membership is free and open to either Liberal Democrat
members or those who aren’t a member of a political party.
Dates For Your Diary
1. Liberal Democrat conferences are in Liverpool
and Bournemouth
2. SLF AGM – May 16th, venue outside of London tbc.
We’ll work around a Special Conference if necessary.
3. SLF Conference – 4th July in London, registration
will open shortly.
Growing inequality is the top most priority for social
liberals and like-minded political activists: that’s the vital
coalition.
Happy New Year,
Naomi Smith.
PS: Thank you to the very many of you who donate to the
SLF. We have very limited funds, and all donations are very gratefully
received www.socailliberal.net/donate
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