A New Member Explains Why He's Joined the Liberal Democrats

John Hefford, one of our newest members in Hitchin Highbury Ward, has written the following account of why he's joined the Liberal Democrats:

"Growing up in one of Labour strongholds in Yorkshire and coming from a family who regularly voted Conservative, I was always a little bit conflicted with the political parties, and never really learnt about any third option until after the EU Referendum when I found that the Liberal Democrats stand for the core values that I believe in; which for me are far more important than individual political opinion. I found politics exasperating, because I felt that it was too full of anti-Labour and anti-Tory rhetoric and I wondered how any work in Parliament ever got done!

Our world is shrinking, as people are becoming closer together across international borders electronically, through the internet and television; and physically, as cheaper air transport and free movement of people has increased migration both into and out of the United Kingdom. Yet our attitudes to Government, society and foreigners doesn't seem to have kept pace with technological improvements. It feels as though we are still entrenched in a cold war with Russia, and the incidents in Albania, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria have only inflamed the xenophobia sweeping throughout Great Britain. It's time to change that.

Global Future

It is important to have a Government who are committed to collaboratively working with other countries and global organisations because climate change isn't just the UK's problem, it isn't just the EU's problem, it's the whole world's problem. Therefore, a solution to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and stop the destruction of the ozone layer has to be sought internationally; closing our borders to migrants won't help that. Rather, preventing migration into the UK will actually harm our ability to recruit scientific and medical experts from all walks of life.

However, openness is about more than just border controls. It's about being open-minded as well, and never afraid to shrug off preconceived ideas and prejudices to new ideas. One of the most dangerous phrases uttered in history is: "But I've always done it that way!" because it's a phrase that symbolises complete unwillingness to try anything new; and it's the complete opposite of what the Liberal Democrats and I believe in. The depletion of natural capital such as fossil fuels is not sustainable, and if we don't change now the Earth's future will start to become more similar to the Earth's past.

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

History has shown that when confronted with something different, one of two things happens. People either try to destroy it, or to embrace it. It would be a very boring world if we were all the same, so I choose to accept and embrace difference. The Liberal Democrats share my belief for fairness, inclusion and respect to others; which promotes diversity in the workplace. Acknowledging and celebrating our differences whilst working towards a common purpose is one of the key principles of teamwork, and brings us closer to different ideas which could be better. What a shame it would be to be the last to learn about a new technology, because we were too scared of something different.

Britain is stronger when the British people work together, and the preservation of the United Kingdom can only be a benefit to the world. Yet there is a hatred in the UK that needs to be addressed. Conflicting opinions on Britain's membership of the EU has divided the country for years, with vitriol and abuse fired from both sides of the debate. Post-referendum, it's time for the country to heal the rift; and I see the Liberal Democrats as the only political party capable of doing that. The Liberal Democrats have demonstrated that they will work in coalition with other political parties to form a Government whilst retaining their own ideals, and it's that commitment to getting on with the task in hand which appeals to me the most.

The UK has come to a fork in the road, and the decisions that are made today will determine the UK's destiny. Regardless of whether the UK leaves or stays within the European Union, the Britain will still work, trade and collaborate with Europe. But our relationship with the EU will change. We have an opportunity to make the post-referendum UK-EU relationship a better one than we had previously, and I believe that the Liberal Democrats can deliver that."

* * * *

Welcome to the party John - we're delighted to have you on board!

If you feel inspired to follow John's example then you can join us here: https://libdems.secure.force.com/LiberalDemocrats/NewMemberRegistration