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 The Liberal Party is the radical party I have been looking for. Assembly is the policy-making body for the party and any member may attend and speak. Assembly began by passing by a large majority a resolution asserting that the Party is a party of the 'radical left', which I think accurately describes our approach to issues such as climate change, the gap between rich and poor, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Assembly passed motions calling for a freeze on public expenditure on 'spin', democratic representation on regional Arts Councils,
a zero alcohol limit for drivers and commissioned a review of policy on animal welfare.
Responding to the financial crisis, Assembly called for taxpayers to benefit from future dividends in the Banks in which the Government has taken a stake, and re-affirmed the Party's commitment to supporting worker co-operatives and profit-sharing schemes. Finally, a comprehensive resolution on psychiatric health care was passed.
There were differences of opinion, sometimes passionate, and good debates, without the faction-managing and leadership-fixing activities seen in other “left” parties. Assembly demonstrates the radical nature of the Liberal Party, which organizes itself and forms its policies according to its principles of liberty, and participatory democracy.
There was no hype, no videos of the leader, no avoidance of difficult issues. Many of the speakers were seasoned campaigners, who win Council seats across the country on the basis of year-round involvement in the issues which concern their communities. This is what real life politics is all about!
To the many disillusioned political activists out there who care deeply for their communities and want to address the issues of liberty, poverty, peace and the environment there is an invitation - we have a new political home, and the front door is open - come and join the Liberals!
Andrew Montgomerie
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