The past few elections have seen the rise of liberal parties across the United Kingdom. After some difficult time, the Liberal Democrats have returned to form, and are now tied for the prestigious title of Second Largest Party in the House. The Classical Liberals, the LDs’ best friends, have seen an explosive and successful life, jumping from one to eight to ten seats in the span of three terms. And despite the fact that they failed to achieve the gains predicted of them this election, they still have some of the most active and dedicated members in British Politics today. Besides, ten seats is still a strong return, considering the Green Party only managed seven.

And then there’s the LPUK. As an Independent Grouping, they took home five seats (I must point out the Clibs took home eight their first time around, but five is still a good effort). In their second GE, the Libertarians scored an amazing 11, coming ahead of the Greens, Classical Liberals, and National Unionists. But does the LPUK’s success also show a rise in Liberalism? Or a different phenomenon entirely?

To answer this question, we have to look at what the LPUK Represents, and what Liberalism is. The famous Liberal Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, once said that “Liberalism […] knows that the past is less important than the future.” The LPUK manifesto promises to defend grammar schools “as a pillar of social mobility.” The Classical Liberals have rightly tried to change the system and remove grammar schools, as they do the exact opposite of what the LPUK allege. The truth is that Grammar Schools represent an institution rooted firmly in the past, and only hurt the future. Or, the future as I would like it to be at least. The LPUK Manifesto also includes such forward-thinking policies like abolishing the green belt, cancelling HS2 (because protecting green space is very important to the LPUK?), privatise railways, and mandate that all future Governments spend 2% on defence spending (because as we all know, Parliament can bind Parliament!).

In the 21st century, Liberalism has become synonymous with Globalism. While this is not exactly accurate, it is fair to say that Liberals should be in favour of a more globalised world. This usually comes in the form of the idea of free trade, free movement, and encouraging world culture. The LPUK has been very clear that they support a complete abolition of foreign aid. They also plan to pass a “Fair Trade Act” which would stop the UK from signing deals with human rights abusers. Oddly, their manifesto goes on to say they want to continue to deal with the US, which has certainly violated human rights with its anti-immigrant rhetoric and its ICE concentration camps. Further, they pledge to sign a trade deal with China, a country that is known as one of the world’s worst human rights abusers. Now, these policies aren’t necessarily illiberal. I certainly don’t want to support dictators or genocide. But these policies do certainly conflict, and do not appear very well thought out, to say the least. The LPUK is also staunchly against the European Union. They promote a hard Brexit; one where we leave the Single Market, leave the Customs Union and end all immigration deals with EU. Of the 3 parties we call liberal, the LPUK has by far the strictest policy on Brexit. To me, a Liberal Party should do the opposite. The European Union promotes economic mobility, freedom of goods, freedom of movement, and personal freedom within its member countries. A true liberal would support the free trade and the many freedoms the EU provides: but this is not the case for the LPUK.

The LPUK also makes no mention of culture in its manifesto. When negotiating a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and Classical Liberals, the LPUK famously called for the abolition of the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport. Unlike the Liberal Democrats, who support these things, the LPUK seems to want to ignore them completely.

Anyone who reads the Libertarian Party Manifesto likely comes away with the same feeling I did. It is full of illogical and especially illiberal policies. There’s a reason the Lib Dems don’t want to end free trade with the EU or force Parliament to spend 2% of its GDP on the military or want to abolish the green belt. The LPUKs policy is not based on Liberalism. The other two Liberal Parties would do well to rethink their connection with them. The Classical Liberals and Liberal Democrats represent the new wave of UK politics. They represent a resurgence of Liberal Values and ideas. The LPUK does not.