Research

The politics of liberalism

Liberalism is back in vogue. All three main parties seek, on some issues at least, to portray themselves as liberal, while two of the leaders explicitly use the term to define their politics. Is this liberal consensus genuine? And what relevance does it have for 21st century politics and policy?

Recent publications:

Lib Con: Can the Lib Dems and Conservatives co-operate? (October 2007)

Following on from 'Lib Lab', this briefing note reviews the possibility, across the main policy areas, of collaboration between the Liberal Democrats and Conservative parties, and explores what this could mean in the event of the next general election resulting in a hung parliament.

The Liberal Democrat Leadership Election: Key Questions For The Next Leader (October 2007)

Both contenders for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats need to show that they can continue the policy reform work which Campbell started. This briefing note sets out the key policy challenges the new leader will face.

Lib-Lab: Can Labour and the Liberal Democrats co-operate? (September 2007)

Gordon Brown's efforts to bring Liberal Democrats into his cabinet in the summer of 2007 renewed the debate about co-operation between the two parties. But how big is the gulf between them? On what issues could co-operation occur? This briefing note sets out the differences and similarities between the values of the two parties.

From here to fraternity: perspectives on social responsibility (September 2007)

The Conservatives are currently seeking to develop the 'big idea' of social responsibility. But what does the term mean in practice and what role does it play in the philosophies of the other political parties? Jesse Norman, Kitty Ussher MP and Danny Alexander MP provide three perspectives on this key political debate.

Britain after Blair – A liberal agenda (September 2006)

Britain after Blair combines CentreForum’s authoritative audit of New Labour’s decade in power with a collection of essays by Lib Dem MPs which offer fresh, liberal thinking on the challenges facing Britain today. It demonstrates how economic and social liberalism can be fused into a coherent agenda for government.

Freedom – three perspectives on the meaning of liberty in the 21st Century (May 2006)

Britain’s leading politicians are currently locked in battle over the meaning of liberalism. Neal Lawson, Ed Vaizey and Jeremy Browne present three provocative perspectives on the vexed issue of liberty from across the political spectrum.

The Battle for liberalism: ten key questions for the next Lib Dem leader (February 2006)

This briefing note sets out the key policy challenges which lie at the heart of the battle for the centre-ground of British politics