Write for us!
Liberal Voices was created to provide an independent public sphere for Liberal Democrat members. Our aim is to encourage open policy debate, accountability and rigorous discussion grounded in liberal values.
We want to hear from you
Welcome to Liberal Voices, a new platform for views and opinion for Liberal Democrats and supporters.
Since the demise of LibDem News and the rise of the Internet, there has been no reliable, neutral marketplace of ideas where members can test policies and exchange views. The Liberal Voices team is made up of Liberal Democrats who decided to remedy this absence.
The Public Sphere
Wikipedia defines the Public Sphere as follows:
The Public Sphere is an area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action. A “Public” is “of or concerning the people as a whole.” Public Sphere is a place common to all, where ideas and information can be exchanged. Such a discussion is called public debate and is defined as the expression of views on matters that are of concern to the public – often, but not always, with opposing or diverging views being expressed by participants in the discussion.
Our aim is to become the Public Sphere for the party. If the party is to be constantly reenergised and refreshed; if new and relevant policies are to be written and promoted, the widest range of opinions must be shared and scrutinised. In the words of John Stuart Mill:
If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant
For too long, the exchange of ideas in the party has been stifled both by authoritarianism – the censoring of debate, and by parochialism – the focusing on small sections of an issue rather than considering its wider context. Members who attempt to contribute to the debate or speak out against their perception of injustice are silenced and side-lined. Some have been subjected to official complaints. Liberal Voices offers a forum where everyone can be heard and no legitimate opinion is silenced.
We also intend to foster the scrutiny of the party’s apparatus and the individuals who are running it on our behalf. Many questionable decisions have been made in recent years, mainly by a small group of interconnected activists who often sit on several committees. The party’s complaints system has been captured by an unrepresentative clique. Even the party’s commitment to its own internal democracy is under question. Participation by the membership in its own elections is tiny and shrinking.
If this trend is to be reversed, members must be reengaged and enthused. They need to be persuaded that their opinions matter and that they will not be criticised, censured, or expelled simply for speaking out. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and we intend to provide it.
Play the ball, not the person
Liberal Voices is about ideas and concepts, not character assassination and accusations of bigotry. Politics and philosophy are advanced by debate, not ad hominem attacks, straw man claims, red herring arguments, appeals to ignorance, appeals to authority or slippery slope arguments. With that proviso, we welcome comments and constructive criticism.
Independent opinions from members and supporters
Liberal Voices is not run by the party, or subjected to control or censorship by editors who believe they are protecting the hierarchy from criticism or who think that they are the sole custodians of the holy grail of liberalism. Our editors don’t have one foot in the establishment, while pretending to be on the side of the reader. We believe that liberalism is best preserved and advanced by frankness and honesty, not the suppression of potentially uncomfortable views and the silencing of critics. No one should be beyond accountability.
We have set out our stall. Now it’s over to you. If we are noticed, we will consider that to be a good sign. If we attract a growing number of readers and contributions, we will see that as a positive step. If our writers begin to influence debate within the party, we will have succeeded.