Two or three parties?

[phil_20686]

 

In most European countries it might be fair to say that those who call themselves "liberal" are more pro freedom than "conservatives" and "socialists", although there could be exceptions such as some "liberals" being tough in immigration, as compared to socialists.

 

Strongly disagree. For example, in British politics labour were pro gay rights, but were the most illiberal government Britain has ever had, with constant legislative moves in favour of covert government surveillance, and generally strengthen the ability of governments to do whatever they liked with little or no oversight. Identity cards, extending the length you could be held without charge, national DNA register which could keep your DNA for no reason. Making it easier for Social services to take children from their parents. Setting targets for the number of children taken into care. Strengthening government is a constant temptation of the left. In that way the left is definitely more anti "freedom" than the right. The right in Europe tends to be about giving power back to the people. More local decisions etc etc.

 

It might be more accurate to call labour a socialist government, rather than a liberal government, but that is not the common term in Britian.

[helene_t]

It might be more accurate to call labour a socialist government, rather than a liberal government, but that is not the common term in Britian.

What? Does anyone refer to Labour as a "liberal" party? I have never heard that. Anyway, I meant the parties calling themselves "liberal". German FDP, Dutch VVD and D66, British LibDems and such.

 

As I've understood it, it's a new thing that the British LibDems have become "left". Dutch VVD and German FDP are right-winged parties, arguably to the right of the conservatives.

[kenberg]

I have a high regard for the British mind but are they actually able to sort all of this out? It's so much simpler over here, either you go with the Mama Grizzly or the Muslim Socialist.