Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Kennedy: 21st Century Liberalism Must Be About Presenting Ourselves As Credible Contenders For Power

In a keynote speech at Westminster, Charles Kennedy set out his vision of how the Liberal Democrats will respond to the challenges of the next parliament.

Mr Kennedy said: "I am determined that, despite our success at the General Election, we avoid complacency and maintain the Liberal Democrats as a dynamic forward looking and progressive force in politics."

"We need to think, plan and work with the longer term in mind. This ranges from our own internal processes and procedures right through to the much wider, external policy considerations coming down the track."

"21st Century Liberalism has to be about more than the politics of protests or the need for principled positions within politics. It has to be about presenting ourselves as credible contenders for power - not just for its own sake, but because of what we want to do with it as we gain more."

Mr Kennedy announced that he has asked Mark Oaten MP, Shadow Home Secretary and Ed Davey MP, Shadow Secretary for Education and Skills to collaborate on a unique project, 'looking at the interface between school and society and those important years when children move into adulthood. I am looking to them to report with innovative ideas about how we, as a society, can help nurture that process.'

Mr Kennedy said that he has commissioned two formal policy reviews; 'Meeting the Challenge'- a broad look at policy in the context of the challenges faced in modern Britain, as well as a review of Liberal Democrat tax commitments. He also reiterated that there would be three internal parliamentary party reviews.