Liberal Reform
| Formation | 13 February 2012 |
|---|---|
| Type | Associated Organisation (AO) Pressure Group |
| Headquarters | London |
|
Official language
|
English |
|
Co-Chair
|
Alan Muhammed |
| Affiliations | Liberal Democrats |
| Slogan | 'Four-Cornered Liberalism' |
| Mission | To ensure that the party adequately represents all four aspects of liberalism |
| Website | www.liberalreform.org.uk |
Liberal Reform is an Associated Organisation (AO) within the British Liberal Democrats. Membership of the group is open to any Liberal Democrat party member, and is free of charge. It was launched on 13 February 2012, and describes itself as a broadly centrist group that seeks to promote 'four-cornered liberalism' within the party. Each 'corner' consists respectively of economic, social, personal and political liberalism. It states that it accepts that virtually all Liberal Democrats believe in four-cornered liberalism, but emphasises its belief that economic liberalism, consisting of the promotion of open markets, competition and free trade, "has to be a key component of modern liberalism".
Liberal Reform's four-cornered liberalism is exemplified by specific policy goals: a belief in the importance of open markets and free trade; strong opposition to discrimination and abuses of power; the promotion of employee share ownership; cutting taxes for those on low and middle incomes by increasing the tax-free personal allowance; the right to privacy; the provision of citizens' freedom of information and of high-quality and accountable public services; and the right of senior citizens to control their own pension savings. It also endorses the principles described in the preamble to the party's Constitution, which states: "The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society,… in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance, or conformity".
Liberal Reform intends to be "at the heart of the party, encouraging friendly debate and participation with other groups", in the cause of both Liberal Democrats and those of a liberal outlook. All members of Liberal Reform are active campaigners for the party.
The group's Mission Statement says that "maintaining our position as the party of personal freedom is not guaranteed. We believe in extending opportunity to all, in devolving power to the lowest level, in giving people control of their own lives, and in freedom itself as a force for good". It also states that it "supports and endorses no political party other than the Liberal Democrats, and favours no relationship with any party over another".
Liberal Reform was launched in February 2012. It aims to promote 'four-cornered liberalism': personal, political, social and economic freedom.
Liberal Reform broadly supports the open market, free trade and economically liberal philosophy of The Orange Book: Reclaiming Liberalism, published in 2004 and co-edited by David Laws, a former Schools Minister.
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