Where Next for the Liberal Democrats?

7 July 2021

Time: 6:30 - 8:00pm

The panel considered the recent electoral performance of the Liberal Democrats in UK-wide, national, and local elections, the role of the Party in shaping the policy agenda in British politics, and the broader challenges to political liberalism in the aftermath of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The panel offered their thoughts on the viability of third-party politics in England, particularly given the electoral system used in General Elections to Westminster, and the failure of the AV referendum in 2011. They also considered the prospects for a ‘progressive alliance’ to defeat the Conservatives at the next general election.



Panel:

Richard Grayson - Professor of Twentieth Century History, Goldsmiths University of London, former Director of Policy for the Liberal Democrats (1999-2004), and member of the Labour Party since 2013

Ian Kearns – Director, Social Liberal Forum

Sarah Olney MP - Member of Parliament for Richmond Park

Luisa Porritt – Former London mayoral candidate and leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Camden Council

Ailbhe Rea - Political Correspondent, New Statesman

Chair:

Tim Bale - Professor of Politics and former Director of the Mile End Institute at Queen Mary University of London. 

A recording of the webinar can be found on our YouTube Channel.