As the Libdem annual conference kicks off, The Liberal magazine has published an editorial expressing concerns the coalition government is taking on an increasingly Conservative character.

It says this has been highlighted in recent months by two developments outside the coalition agreement: the NHS reforms and the riots.

The magazine editorial notes:

Party members are extremely nervous about the progress of the healthcare bill. It is remarkable that only four MPs rebelled against reforms that go against party policy and are not in the coalition agreement, at a time when the government – underperforming in many areas – ought to be channelling its energies elsewhere. (Especially when attention was diverted by the Dorries amendment, a tactic that shifted focus from the bill itself).

Many Lib Dem activists know that these reforms would have been vocally challenged in opposition, and they find it difficult to countenance that the party that conceived of the NHS could administer this lethal injection. In addition, party members have been denied the opportunity to vote on the bill, despite a long-standing dictate that major policy changes require the consent of conference. For the party’s identity and future prospects, it is imperative that Lib Dem members in the Lords employ the progressive majority in the upper house to ensure that the bill is defeated.

It also says that in the aftermath of the riots, Liberal were “hardly discernable”.

Senior Lib Dems – from Simon Hughes to Brian Paddick – lined up to back the reactionary rhetoric on law & order, despite having previously critiqued these ‘sticking-plaster’ measures.

The Liberal’s editor Benjamin Ramm said: “The Tory tide has washed away each line in the sand, and will soon engulf the whole party. Members must make a stand, before their identity is diluted beyond recognition.”

The Liberal is an independent publication dedicated to the revival of liberalism. It has no affiliation with the Liberal Democrats, although previous contributors include Nick Clegg, Vince Cable, Chris Huhne, Simon Hughes, Menzies Campbell, Shirley Williams and Paddy Ashdown.

From a press release

Reader comments

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