The Next Trudeau or Macron

Dear Ms Hobhouse, Mr Stone, Ms Jardine,and Ms Moran,

Like you, I am a liberal. I believe in the principles that underlie liberalism.

I believe in free speech, but not freedom from consequences. 

I believe in a free press, but I believe it has a responsibility to report facts, not provide a balance of facts versus discredited opinions. 

I believe in freedom of religion and freedom for people of no religion. 

I believe in free markets, but tempered by regulations to protect the vulnerable. 

I believe in civil rights and civil responsibilities. 

I believe in representative democracy — in which plenipotentiaries have a responsibility to act in the best interests of their country and constituents.

I believe in the equality of all people — and that equality does not take anything away from people's individuality.

I believe diversity and multiculturalism make our society stronger, not weaker.

I believe in compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves.

I believe in accessible lifelong education — because an educated society is an open, tolerant, diverse, and more united one.

I believe in international cooperation.

I believe Brexit is an unequivocal disaster for this country, and for Europe as well. It undermines our economy, security, and the very future of our country. It is a threat to workers' rights, environmental protections, human rights. It will destroy our social services and infrastructure and it will enforce decades of austerity on a country that is already home to some of the most deprived regions in the EU.

The Liberal Democrats stand for what I stand for. Throughout my life, I have been a tactical voter. I have voted left, right, and centre in two countries. After the 2016 referendum in the UK, I decided the time had come to nail my colours to the mast and join a party. I joined the only one that made sense to me, the LibDems.

With Tim Farron's unfortunate resignation as party leader, we now have an opening. As of now, it appears that Vince Cable will stand unopposed.

This is wrong for several reasons.

1. To have an unopposed leader foisted upon us is neither liberal nor democratic.

2. For a party still fighting (unjustly, in my opinion) cries of "but tuition fees!", we cannot have a leader tainted in the court of public opinion. It would destroy us.

3. Five months ago Vince Cable published a widely read article in which he laid out his reasons for leaving the single market. Leaving the single market is the very definition of hard Brexit. As the party that branded itself the voice of the 48%, we cannot now abandon those who are crying out for representation in parliament.

We need a fresh face leading our party. We need a leader who brings neither the baggage associated with the Coalition years nor a personal crusade against what we stand for. We need one of you to stand for leadership.

Be the voice of Remain! Be the face of the new LibDems. Be our Justin Trudeau or Emmanuel Macron. Be the one to lead us out of the past. 

Thank you for your attention.

Regards,

British by Choice