Re What’s the point of the Lib Dems? (Journal, 7 November), I am tempted to reply: “Because we have never been in greater need of a Liberal party in the tradition of the New Liberals of a century ago – John Maynard Keynes, William Beveridge and Jo Grimond – to provide the core of the left-of-the-right liberal movement that can provide the radical and progressive alternative to backwards-looking Corbynism and the conservative (and worse) forces to the right.”
But this kind of answer will bore those people who are looking for “something better, something new”, where clever but empty slogans and celebrity leadership offer new excitement and hope, however superficial and ephemeral. Yes, our present leadership (widely defined) seems incapable of providing the campaigning vim and inspiration we so desperately need, first to stop the dangerous nonsense of Brexit and then to build such a movement. And the present central party organisation, largely unaccountable to its members, sucks in resources yet seems to provide little in return of use for campaigning.
But rather than despairing, people should come and join those of us who are determined to create the change we so urgently need – within the party and by campaigning throughout the country. It’s not too late.
Tony Greaves
Liberal Democrat, House of Lords
• The Liberal Democrats showed their true colours when they propped up the Conservatives by joining the coalition, and sat on their hands while savage austerity was imposed. The Brexit vote is regarded as an anguished cry by the poor against the government; therefore the Lib Dems are largely responsible for the result. They are a malign force in British politics, and the sooner they disappear the better.
Catherine Hand
Tideswell, Derbyshire
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