Support the 100%
By Dean Crofts in Liberal Democrat Voice
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
Do not support the 48% who voted remain; support the 100% who have the same values as we do.
Liberal - Willing to respect, accept behaviour or opinions different from your own; open to new ideas
Democrat - The belief in freedom and equality between people
Not my words but dictionary definitions of what Liberal Democrats should stand for.
So what does this mean post-Brexit? Let us get rid of the rhetoric and angst among individuals that voted remain or leave. Let us find the good in all individuals whichever way they voted. Those who already agree with our ideals and those who did not want to be ruled by an elite (the perception of being in the EU by most leavers), who want to hold us to account at a national level and more importantly want the government to resolve all the problems we face in housing, the economy, education, health, the environment, defence and security.
We need to retain what we are good at: listening to people at a local level, local representation, fighting local injustice that affect communities and leading with policies that will fix local problems by listening to the people.
More to the point, we need to adapt this approach to our national politics. The UK is on course towards Federalism. Scotland asking for independence, Wales asking for EU funding to be replaced, Cornwall ditto.
We need to start listening to local individuals concerns on national issues; yes, we need to remain internationalist but adapt that to meet the needs of individuals biggest need to feel part of a democracy and feel injustice against them as no one has been listening to them.
Liberalism to me is representing the individual, fighting social inequality and listening to individual concerns. We can do that now by listening to everyone whether they voted remain or Brexit. We will challenge discrimination, we will promote diversity and an open and inclusive society. We must lead in forming policies that work for people and creates democracy - at local level, national level and international level.
Yes, it was disappointing, let us fightback by uniting, stop the social media sniping, stick to those two principles of being Liberal and Democrats.
* Dean Crofts is secretary of North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats