Launching the new Liberal Democrat New European Network

The purpose of this network is to put Lib Dems of Central and Eastern European origin, as well as those with an interest in the region and the issues effecting our new European friends, neighbours and citizens, in touch with each other. It should promote more effective campaigning, the sharing of advice on how to better represent residents of such a background, and spread awareness of the specific issues that affect these communities.

This hasn't just sprung from disgust at the way UKIP and other politicians as well as much of our media have attacked Central and Eastern Europeans; nor is it just a reaction to recent events in Ukraine and the feeling that our response has been lacklustre. At two separate party conferences I have been approached by Romanians who had just joined the party; in both cases out of a desire to 'fight back' against the tide of attacks against them and Bulgarians in particular.

Having joined however, they both expressed a sense of anticlimax. 'Now what?' they asked. They both seemed to feel that the party didn't really know how to channel their activism. Although the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats should and do campaign for racial equality for all, much of this effort understandably focuses on deeply entrenched problems faced by members of long-standing minorities in Britain.

I want this group to help us better welcome members of Central and Eastern European origin and to more effectively speak out on the issues faced by immigrants from the region. With time we may become an organisation similar to the Lib Dem Friends of Turkey or the Chinese Liberal Democrats. For now however, I think something less formal will suffice.

I do not aspire to grand heights of leadership: this network should be driven very much by the interests of its members. But to get things started, my suggestions for the group's initial agenda are as follows:

1) Create a list of members who can act as 'cultural advisors', helping others within the party, and creating a living calendar of cultural and political events we ought, as a party, to be aware of, and feeding in the concerns of people from these communities.

2) Put together a team of people who can write (or support others in writing) press releases on these subjects, as well as writing letters to journalists and MPs (backbench and/or minister, friend or political foe), raising concerns and asking for action to be taken.

3) Pick a handful of locations - probably where our activist base already includes members of Central or Eastern European origin - and join them, campaigning on the local issues that matter to their constituents.

I am asking anyone interested in helping out to 'like' our Facebook page and/or (preferably both) email me at ldjabpol@gmail.com. Please give me your name, your location / local party and your particular interest (a sentence or two is fine). I am particularly keen to know if you speak any Central or Eastern European languages. Please also state whether you are just signing up to be kept informed, or would like to actually help out. I will need your help!

* Jonathan Brown is the membership officer of the Chichester Liberal Democrats and an exec. member of the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats. He is writing here in a personal capacity.