I have been deliberately trying not to write to avoid ranting in exasperation about the state of the nation… However:
I’m attending the LibDem Conference next weekend, so preparing myself for discussion, debate, and collaboration in a forum where we can actually affect change. Last night, I also went to the Pizza & Politics night in Wantage where MP Olly Glover spoke eloquently on the nature of his role, his views of the Parliamentary events this month, and briefed us on his recent activity. His Instagram feed is well worth following here. I look forward to seeing our corpus of 72 MPs doing the same thing at conference with their leader Ed Davey, recent author of ‘Why I Care‘ and the man I believe is the antidote to politics by popularity. He has a long career in politics including a Cabinet position under the Coalition in 2012. He was an orphan at 12 years old, has a disabled son, and while softly spoken has a quiet determination about delivering what is right and fair. Radical. Unique. We should rate Ed Davey and his potential to be a great Prime Minister more highly.
The marches in London on Saturday illustrate the polarisation of right wing extremes versus the voice of diversity. The LibDems are the voice of diversity and inclusion. The LibDems are the voice of balance and a carefully considered approach to the future of our society. I support the LibDems because I trust them. I support Ed Davey because I trust him. I support Olly Glover because I trust him to represent me in my constituency as I would choose to be represented. Our politics is not singular and loud like Nigel Farage solely berating immigration of any kind. It is comprehensive, it is often about ensuring basic human decency, it is reassuringly sensible. What may sound routine is what I believe we need as a country – you can’t build infrastructure and an acceptable standard of living without planning, modelling policy, comprehensive data, and project implementation. Our politics is hard core strategy, skill and tactics, with sound operational delivery.
It is not promising what cannot be delivered. It is not discrimination against the vulnerable and the minority. It is looking after our old people, it is looking after our sick and disabled people, it is enabling the poor to navigate out of poverty. What is good for those who are struggling is good for our nation. If we lift those at the bottom rung of the ladder then our overarching ladder gets higher and lifts everyone across the whole country.
I want my daughter now a young woman to have opportunities available that will lead to a good way of life, with strong family and friendships alongside a rewarding career. She’s determined and is holding down two jobs, while studying at college, and looking after a horse leased from a local stable. She’s conscientious, determined, and kind. She deserves to be safe at work and at home; she deserves to be able to plan and rely on her plans for her life and future. I think a LibDem government would offer her opportunities to make this a reality. I think a LibDem government will enable me to have the same. I think a LibDem government will enable a better day to day reality for everyone. Bearing in mind that two years ago I was unemployed, on Universal Credit and had to sell my house as a result… I understand what being poor means. Please do read my series of six blogs on what I learned during this period, here.
As you may have predicted by now, I believe the LibDems can win the next General Election. I believe Ed Davey is our decent future Prime Minister, a flavour of Prime Minister not seen since Harold MacMillan. Straight talking, honest, kind, fair, revealed as surprisingly characterful as he speaks out more and more on his views. Please follow our Instagram feed to see Ed Davey and the other LibDem MPs as they become more vocal and forthright about the country they envision and want to put in place.
I have spoken to some people at their doors and elsewhere who think Reform is more experienced than the LibDems are at government. We have 72 MPs, Reform have 4. Our policies are comprehensive (our easy to read manifesto is here), our MPs are active and increasingly visible in the media, our Party is over a hundred years old, and we have a solid track record across those years of advocating for and implementing change.
I’ll let you know how the Conference goes next week. I’ll let you know who I meet next week and what discussions we have. Surely there is more to politics than immigration…
Until then, have a great week. Love Ruth xxx
Header image by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
Well Thought Through 