THE TELEGRAPH: Why haven’t they come out as the all-out ‘rejoin the EU’ party or shouted from the rooftops about changing the electoral system?
Listening to the political debate ahead of the local elections in England next week, you could be forgiven for imagining that they were all about what damage Reform will do to the Tories and how the Greens will destroy Labour.
But if, like me, you live in a leafy part of south-west London there is a different narrative entirely. Reform is nowhere to be seen and neither are the Greens. Some of the boroughs, like Richmond and Kingston, are virtual one-party fiefdoms; and that party is the Liberal Democrats.
It is surprising how little the Lib Dems feature in discussions since they are the third-largest party in the Commons with 72 seats. They occupy dozens of former Tory constituencies in the South and South West. In 64 of the 72 Lib Dem seats, the Conservatives are second. Only in two are Labour the runners-up. » | Philip Johnston | Tuesday, April 28, 2026
I have written several comments on this blog since Brexit, stating that I have been rather astonished that the LibDems have not gone into elections promising what no other party has been prepared to offer: a return to our friends in the European Union. The LibDems have had a golden opportunity to put clear blue water between the LibDems and all other, then generally pro-Brexit parties. But Ed Davey has lacked the courage to do so. Although I know that he is actually very pro-EU and Britain’s place in it.
This morning, I have been further disappointed in Sir Ed Davey, since I learnt that he voted in favour of that ridiculous illiberal generational smoking ban! How on earth can a man who heads up the Liberal Party be in favour of such a profoundly illiberal policy? Has the gentleman forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be “liberal”.
When I read this morning that he voted in favour of Starmer’s folly and autocratic. Freedom-stealing, ridiculous policy, I had to pinch myself! Was I, perhaps, mistaken? So, I decided to check out what Google AI had to say on the meaning of “liberal politics”. This is what it came up with:
“Liberal politics is a broad political ideology centered on protecting and enhancing individual freedom, autonomy, and rights under the rule of law. It emphasizes democracy, limited government intervention in personal life, civil liberties, and free enterprise, aiming to secure personal dignity and voluntary cooperation over coercion.” [Source: Google AI]
Even though I am no longer a smoker, I consider this legislation to be PROFOUNDLY ILLIBERAL and PROFOUNDLY UNDEMOCRATIC. I shall therefore no longer support the party in its present form. This, of course, renders me politically HOMELESS. The Conservatives Party, my original natural political home, is a party which I can no longer support because of that ridiculous Brexit referendum.
British politics is totally and utterly messed up! — © Mark Alexander
