Jo Swinson

Politics now is fractured. The rising tide of nationalism and populism threatens to consume our politics. Whether it is Trump or Putin abroad, or Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage at home, our political order is increasingly dominated by forces that seek to divide us.

But all is not lost. Over the course of history, the answer to nationalism has been liberalism, and I believe it can be the answer again. We need to take on the forces that believe our future lies in closing ourselves off from the world and blaming those who are different from us.

Taking on those forces is why I’ve put myself forward to be the leader of the Liberal Democrats. I want to lead the party so that we can build a liberal movement to stand up to those nationalist forces and stop Brexit. Then we can transform our broken economy so that it is focused on the long term, and works for both people and our planet, tackling poverty and averting the climate crisis.

And it can start here. London is a liberal city that has always been proud to celebrate the diversity of its culture, and there is no better place for our liberal movement to grow. We have already seen tremendous electoral success in the city, with three new MEPs recently elected, and I want to continue that by putting Siobhan Benita, our Liberal Democrat candidate for mayor, into City Hall. I believe that Siobhan is part of a new generation of leaders who can transform Britain’s future, a future that isn’t simply about saying no to Brexit, but about saying yes to tackling the big challenges we face.

"Nationalism threatens our politics. I want to build a movement to stand up to it"

A new generation of leaders is committed to tackling harmful levels of air pollution and the climate emergency; reshaping our economy so that it values people as human beings, not just financial data; harnessing technological advances that are already changing our work lives to improve our society, schools and hospitals; and working together to bring about electoral reform that delivers a better, more plural politics, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and bringing some reason to a deeply polarised and febrile debate.

These are all big challenges, but I have never shied away from a big challenge in my life and I’m not going to start now.

While the problems facing the country are huge, it is in times of great disruption that we can make the most important changes to our society and help to rebuild our fractured, broken politics.

I have no limit for the ambitions of the Liberal Democrats. I believe there are millions of people across the country who are crying out for someone to stand up for liberal values. Someone who isn’t afraid to say immigration is a good thing, isn’t afraid to argue that our place in the world is strengthened by our place in the EU, and isn’t afraid of standing up to bully-boys such as Donald Trump.

The Liberal Democrats under my leadership would do just that, and I want you to join us.

Ed Davey

Liberal Democrats are the only major UK party fighting Brexit. On this great issue of our times we are arguing for a people’s vote, and for remaining in the EU because working with our neighbours is essential for a functioning economy, peace and climate security.

In contrast, Labour and the Conservatives resemble two grumpy blokes in a pub, moaning about modern times: they have revealed themselves as economic vandals and narrow-minded nationalists.

Jeremy Corbyn still says a Labour government would pursue Brexit. He may boast of his jogging speed but his sloth-like crawl towards an even mildly Brexit-sceptic position has been unconvincing and unprincipled.

Boris Johnson even threatens to close Parliament to pursue no-deal. His lack of support for our man in Washington is a sign of Britain’s Brexit future — cut adrift from European friends and forced to fawn over Donald Trump. Once ambassadors were sent abroad to lie for their country; Kim Darroch was brought home for daring to tell the truth.

With Johnson and Corbyn offering such dismal leadership, there is an incredible opportunity for the revitalised Liberal Democrats under a leader of substance and campaigning flair. I believe I’m the one to beat Brexit and the causes of it — and win a general election. I’ll use my Cabinet experience and cross-party contacts to stop Brexit — seeking a government of national unity with the sole task of delivering a people’s vote.

"I’m the one to beat Brexit and the causes of it — and win a general election"

And I’m developing a strategy to win that vote by insisting a Remain Britain must prioritise Leave communities that feel left behind. I would use the vast sum set aside for Brexit to tackle inequality and regional divides, and create a green economy by massive investment in renewables and by de-carbonising capitalism.

Unless we act, Britain is in deep danger of falling apart: but with intelligent, principled leadership we can reunite our kingdom.

Britain is being led — in so far as it is being led at all — by a frighteningly Faragiste agenda. Instead, I will champion liberal values: generous, internationalist, and certain that every individual should be free to pursue their idea of happiness. Whether campaigning against the homophobic Section 28 or securing the release of an innocent man from Guantanamo, I’ve always put defending human rights first.

After smashing it in European elections, the Lib Dems are back. Our priorities chime with those of modern Britain. While both Johnson and Corbyn are fixated on getting the job of PM, it’s clear they don’t care about the security of your job.

But we will only stop Brexit, rescue the economy and decarbonise capitalism if we get Liberal Democrats elected. Kingston and Surbiton wasn’t even a target seat when I took it in 1997 — yet within four years I had a 15,676 majority. I want to repeat that across Britain.

People are calling last orders on two old parties offering the flat bitter of dogma — instead, lets serve them the sweet amber nectar of liberalism.