The Speech I’d Like A Liberal Democrat Leader To Give

But if they won’t, I guess I’ll write it

Liberal Democrat Conference (source: Wikipedia/Creative Commons)

I was talking recently with some friends who are still members of my former party about the sort of things I’d want to hear from the party and its leadership if I was to ever consider rejoining. With the party’s Spring Conference coming up, I decided to organise these thoughts into the sort of speech I can’t imagine Ed Davey ever giving — though I’d be the first to applaud him if he did.

Thank you, Conference.

I want to start this speech in a different way. I normally answer questions elsewhere at conference, but I’ve received one recently that I think is important to answer in the most public way possible.

That question is “what are you doing as party leader to ensure that this is a welcoming party for liberals with gender critical beliefs?”

And my answer is this:

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Because, Conference, “liberals with gender critical beliefs” is an oxymoron. Like “liberals with anti-semitic beliefs” or “liberals with racist beliefs” it describes a group of people who do not exist.

I’m sure there are some people — like those who asked me this question — who believe they exist, but they’re wrong. If…