WHAT WE STAND FOR - JOIN US !

12.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Sep 2009

Ros Kayes, South Dorset's Lib Dem Prospective MP

"Liberal Democrats aim to build a fair, free & open society & to promote liberty, equality & community so that no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."

Britain & other democracies in the western world are Liberal Democracies - based on the ideals promoted by our party & its precursors over hundreds of years.

Historically, in the UK, Liberalism has produced all that is distinctive & 'great' about the British political system:

• The extension of the right to vote; - driving through legislation to allow working class & younger people to vote & supporting

reform of the voting system so that EVERYONE'S vote counts;

• The Welfare state (Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George introduced national Insurance & pensions);

• Advancing & protecting human rights, opposing discrimination, promoting individual freedom;

• Support for fair trade & ethical foreign policy was built upon the foundations laid in the 19th century by Liberal Prime Ministers like Gladstone.

We are THE ONLY CREDIBLE GREEN PARTY with seats in Parliament:

In the 1970s Liberalism was revolutionised by the growing evidence of climate change. We developed strong strategies for green living & ethical trading which underpin our policies today.

WE WANT TO GIVE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE

Being in opposition has taught us to listen to & fight for communities - all Liberal Democrats see themselves as local champions - supporting their communities against big government. As a result the party campaigns for a system fair voting, so that everyone's views can be fairly represented, & devolution of power to local communities - so that ordinary people can have more control of their lives.

LABOUR HAS COLLAPSED

The old Liberal party split in the 1930s & was overtaken by the Labour party's socialist campaigning for working people. But changes in the last 30 years has seen the decline of the old 'working class' & the support base for Labour. What we are seeing in British politics today are the death throes of the Labour movement.

REAL CHANGE

The British people have shown that they want government that listens to them. Government that is open, ethical, fair & promotes community & democracy for all - not just the rich or those that happen to exercise power in the cabinet.

That is why increasing numbers of people are turning to the Liberal Democrats in 2009. Please join them.

If you would like more information about the party & local activities, please contact us via this website.