A MEMBER of the Young Liberal Executive Team has resigned in disgust, saying the party has “completely betrayed its core principles”.

Marguerite Iliescu, 28, has written a frank assessment of the party’s failings in a resignation letter sent on December 1 to the Liberal Party’s Victorian division, criticising its lack of loyalty, its treatment of young people and abandonment of its core principles.

“I am greatly saddened that I have become ashamed to be a member of the Liberal Party, which has completely betrayed its core principles and let down its base, and the Victorian people,” she writes in a letter published by Menzies House.

“It is my view – and the view of many current members and members of staff whom I have spoken to – that the Liberal Party now obviously believes in nothing except perhaps the restriction of liberty and the electoral success of the Liberal Party.”

Her letter comes after the Denis Napthine-led party in Victoria lost government in its first term, the first time this has happened in more than 60 years.

Ms Iliescu told news.com.au that she had been concerned for some time about the party’s policies and intended to quit once the election was over regardless of the result. She was also concerned about the party’s direction nationally as well.

“The Abbott Government’s failure to repeal 18C and stand up for freedom of speech was extremely disappointing and new draconian data retention laws that completely violate our right to privacy whilst doing nothing to enhance our security are just a couple of my concerns,” she said.

Ms Iliescu joined the Victorian Liberal Party in 2012 and became a member of the executive team this year. During the election she assisted candidates such Jo Hagan, helping with doorknocking, letter boxing and handing out information in places such as shopping centres.

In her letter she said the party had failed spectacularly in being a “safe pair of economic hands”, and that the election campaign had consisted “almost entirely of cash splashing and vote buying”.

In her letter she also criticised the way in which the party had treated its candidates and party members, although she declined to name specific examples saying she believed it was up to those involved to speak up.

“I have no interest in being associated with a party that doesn’t stick by some of its people when they are unfairly attacked by the media and throws people under a bus for short term political gain,” she wrote in her letter.

“There is now an overwhelming and saddening view amongst the younger members of the Liberal Party that at the first sign of negative press the party will abandon them.”

She said the Labor Party seemed to value their young people and involve them in senior ranks of their campaign. In contrast, “the Liberal Party appears to see young people as a weakness and something to avoid, depriving the party of the new ideas and renewal that every party needs if it is to continue to grow.”

Policy wise, Ms Iliescu was critical of the party’s campaign against drug users, suspension of late-night liquor licensing, banning solariums, tobacco reforms and the removal of suspended sentences.

“I understood the principles of the Liberal Party to be the inalienable rights and freedoms of all peoples, a lean government that minimises interference in our daily lives, and maximises individual and private sector initiative,” she states.

“My frustration is shared by voters, who have made it very clear that they find the Victorian Liberal Party slightly more repulsive than the empty authoritarians in the ALP and Greens.”

The Melbourne resident said she was not the only Young Liberal with concerns about the direction of the party. She knew of others who had left but some had chosen to remain in the party and try to reform from within.

“I think ultimately the goal of all those who believe in liberalism is to keep the government in check so that we can live free, prosperous and happy lives – I don’t believe there is a “best” way to fight for individual liberty – there is only the right way for the individual,” she told news.com.au.

“Many of my Young Liberal friends have decided that the best way for them is to stay in the Liberal Party and try to reform it from within – I genuinely wish them all the best in that endeavour and I hope they are able to succeed in effecting change.”

While she said she would consider returning to the Liberal Party if she could see her concerns being addressed she said she did not know whether membership of a major party was right for her.

“I will continue to remain engaged with politics – particularly through organisations such as the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, which is a grassroots activist body dedicated to fighting over regulation, government waste and excessive taxation,” she told news.com.au.

“In terms of joining another party, I have not made a decision as yet; however I am impressed by the pro civil liberties stance of minor parties such as the Sex Party and the Liberal Democratic Party.”

LETTER IN FULL:

“Dear Mr (Damien) Mantach,

I write to you today to resign my membership of the Victorian Liberal Party.

I am greatly saddened that I have become ashamed to be a member of the Liberal Party, which has completely betrayed its core principles and let down its base, and the Victorian people.

I understood the principles of the Liberal Party to be the inalienable rights and freedoms of all peoples, a lean government that minimises interference in our daily lives, and maximises individual and private sector initiative. Indeed, the Liberal Party’s national website states: “… we simply believe in individual freedom and free enterprise; and if you share this belief, then ours is the Party for you.”

It is my view – and the view of many current members and members of staff whom I have spoken to – that the Liberal Party now obviously believes in nothing except perhaps the restriction of liberty and the electoral success of the Liberal Party.

I will no longer let my name, time, or labour be channelled into enacting the restriction and taxation that the Liberal Party now pursues almost exclusively.

In terms of being a “safe pair of economic hands” the Liberal Party has failed spectacularly. The Napthine Government certainly could not be accused of being “illiberal” in terms of expenditure – the election campaign consisted almost entirely of cash splashing and vote buying.

The parliamentary Party now violates individual freedom and hampers free enterprise as a matter of routine. The atrocious “unexplained wealth seizure” laws are a clear repudiation of the rule of law: a violation of the most basic principles of our legal system.

The avid campaign against drug users does no more than exploit fear to promote the militant repression of the most vulnerable members of our society. The further suspension of late-night liquor licensing – besides betraying a fundamental distrust for individuals ability to exercise their liberty responsibly – is a blow to the entertainment industry, as is the extremely stupid ban on ‘cage-fighting’.

I am equally disturbed by the many and varied ways the Coalition has acted to limit personal freedoms: banning solariums, punitive tobacco reforms, not to also mention the completely unjustified removal of suspended sentences.

My frustration is shared by voters, who have made it very clear that they find the Victorian Liberal Party slightly more repulsive than the empty authoritarians in the ALP and Greens. It should be no surprise that the state election results for minor parties in the Legislative Council rose from under 10 per cent, to a staggering almost 25 per cent as voters, including many Liberal Party members, sought to vote for parties who actually stand for something.

Lastly, the manner in which you have treated both candidates and party members that have come to media attention has been absolutely appalling and shameful. Any principled organisation must show loyalty to its members.

I have no interest in being associated with a party that doesn’t stick by some of its people when they are unfairly attacked by the media and throws people under a bus for short term political gain.

I believe in second chances, and we know from history that some of the greatest advocates for liberty and freedom have been converts from other unpleasant ideologies. Those who have come to liberalism from repugnant ideologies should be praised and used as advocates for de-radicalisation, not shunned and banished from the party.

That other self-serving, unloyal, unprincipled authoritarians, men without any values, are allowed to vocally and publicly represent the Party simply adds insult to injury.

In contrast, Labor stood by Daniel Andrew’s CoS and their Assistant State Secretary in the face of media hype in relation to the “Dictaphone Scandal”. There is now an overwhelming and saddening view amongst the younger members of the Liberal Party that at the first sign of negative press the party will abandon them. This is adding fuel to many who are disengaging and avoiding involvement in party politics.

Labor values their young people, involves them in senior ranks of their campaign. The Liberal Party appears to see young people as a weakness and something to avoid, depriving the party of the new ideas and renewal that every party needs if it is to continue to grow.

I suspect you will be receiving a lot of feedback in this vein and I truly hope you take this on board if the Liberal Party ever wishes to be a viable option for the people of Victoria.

Accordingly, it is my hope that the Victorian Liberal Party will learn the lesson that stares us in the face right around the country, and will search deep inside itself for its soul, lopping off the poisonous, vacuous growths that are strangling what was once the greatest force for the advancement and aspiration of the Australian people and nation.

Yours sincerely

Marguerite Iliescu.”