Category: Interview

Martin Day, Party Secretary, UK Libertarian Party

If you believe in individual rights, non-interventionism, laissez-faire capitalism, and the constraint of government size and influence, then the Libertarian Party might be for you.  We recently spoke with Party Secretary Martin Day.

“People have had enough of the incredible tax burden faced nowadays – the highest since the aftermath of WWII”

Can you introduce yourself and your role within the Libertarian Party?

Hi, I’m Martin Day and I am the Party Secretary. I joined the Libertarian Party back in 2018 after UKIP lurched into territory I didn’t want to go into. I believe there has been increased interference in our daily lives, particularly over the last 30 years, and the Libertarian Party was a perfect fit for my ideals. My role includes writing some of the content that we put out on almost a daily basis, assisting with uploading website content, and sending out Press releases. Believe me, they do get sent, despite the mainstream media giving us a wide berth. I’m also the coordinator for the midlands (Mercia) region. We rely on people rallying to a common cause. It’s hard as organising libertarians is akin to herding cats, but we try, because we believe in our minarchist ideals.

We face reduced liberty on many fronts, without a popular push happening so far.  How do you see the cause for liberty fairing in our country?

Talking to the man/woman on the streets, there is much support for the idea of more freedom and less government. The demonstrations against the lockdowns proved that, and the mounting anger against the ULEZ expansion is another example. People have had enough of the incredible tax burden faced nowadays – the highest since the aftermath of WWII – and the restrictions to setting up small businesses in favour of the big corporations. Unfortunately, it is difficult to translate that into votes as tribal instincts kick in and people vote for either the red or blue socialists anyway. Yes, I did say blue socialists, the two main parties are seemingly locked in a battle as to which of them can extort more money through taxation and squander it on projects that defy reason after an ever-increasing army of civil servants have had their cut out of it first. They believe they know how to spend our money better than we do.

“What was interesting was Uxbridge, where the result was a clear rejection of Labour’s ULEZ plans, yet they voted for the Conservatives, who have not clearly stated they would stop it”

We’ve just had 3 by-elections with many smaller party’s running and wins for all 3 main parties.  Are there any conclusions you draw from the results?

By-election results can be very deceiving, with the electorate keen to show their dissatisfaction with the ruling globalists like Sunak and Hunt. What was interesting was Uxbridge, where the result was a clear rejection of Labour’s ULEZ plans, yet they voted for the Conservatives, who have not clearly stated they would stop it. This shows how difficult it is for the smaller parties to get their message across.

“we are currently trying to raise the funds for Tony Brown’s tilt and the London Mayoral office. The required deposit to even stand is, £5,000, which is, quite frankly, a tax on democracy”

We likely have a general election next year, and we’ve interviewed Tony Brown your London Mayoral Candidate.  What are the Libertarian Party’s plans for these and other elections?

The reason that we did not contest the recent By-elections is that we are currently trying to raise the funds for Tony Brown’s tilt and the London Mayoral office. The required deposit to even stand is, £5,000, which is, quite frankly, a tax on democracy. It will be our main focus for next year, but we do also hope to have a number of candidates standing in the next General Election.

How can people get involved in or find out more about the party?

We welcome all those interested, who can become members at https://www.libertarianpartyuk.com/join There are opportunities for getting involved from writing to helping candidates leaflet at election time, though just sharing our posts on social media all helps to get the message out there.

You can follow Martin on Facebook and Twitter.

Tales from Uxbridge – Steve Gardner, SDP candidate in the recent by-election

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a candidate at the centre of a high-profile election?  Just after the results for the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election, we caught up with Steve Gardner the SDP candidate for his tales from Uxbridge.

“I knew it would be high profile but I didn’t think it would be the circus it was!”

What made you first take the step to be the SDP candidate for Uxbridge, and did you imagine it would lead to you standing in a high-profile by-election?

When i joined the SDP in 2020 I informed them that I would be willing to stand as a candidate for the London Assembly, which I duly did. I also stood as a candidate in the local elections, and I stated that I would also be willing to stand in a general election. As it was, at the time, Boris Johnson’s seat I felt obliged to stand should a general election be called! I knew it would be high profile but I didn’t think it would be the circus it was!

You were interviewed by local and national media. What are your thoughts on being interviewed and on dealing with the press?

The press that I did have dealings with were really good. I take my hat off to the Hillingdon Herald who were fair to all the candidates and to Rod Liddle for painting me in a good light in an article he wrote for The Sun! I didn’t have a problem being interviewed as I saw it as a vehicle to get my message and that of the SDP across. Being a smaller party, we tend to get ignored by the mainstream media.

“a canvasser for Labour knocked at my door and said “Hi. Will you consider a vote for Labour?” I handed her one of my leaflets that had a big picture of my face on it which she took, nonplussed”

You were out campaigning hard during the election. How did you find your interactions with the public and are there any funny stories from the campaign trail?

My interactions with the public took place in the evenings or weekends due to work, but I loved it. A lot of people were genuinely interested in what I had to say and equally, I was interested in their views because that’s what politicians should do; listen to the people. The only two incidents that really made me chuckle were when campaigning in Uxbridge one Saturday, two women came up to me requesting a leaflet saying “Yep. We’ll be voting for you. No question. We’ve been following your campaign and you’re the one for us”. After taking the leaflet and walking off a few paces, one of them turned around and said “Hang on. You’re not that Labour bloke!” The other was when a canvasser for Labour knocked at my door and said “Hi. Will you consider a vote for Labour?” I handed her one of my leaflets that had a big picture of my face on it which she took, nonplussed. She looked at it again, then looked back at me then said “Oh. It’s you!” She left but she took my leaflet with her, so I consider that a win.

I believe the Conservative and Labour candidates pulled out of the hustings? How did you find the hustings, and how did you find the other candidates?

It was a shame Labour & the Conservatives pulled out of the Hustings at Brunel University that the Hillingdon Herald organised. However, it was a really good night with some excellent questions from the audience. I really enjoyed it. I got on well with all the other candidates; they really were a nice bunch and were passionate in their beliefs. I also made a new friend in Rebecca Jane from UKIP who is super intelligent and funny.

“if you really believe in your cause, you should fight for it. It might take time, but it’s worth it. Nothing will ever change if we do nothing”

Do you have any advice for people thinking of standing for election?

It’s easier standing if you’re in a party, even a small and upcoming one like the SDP! The only way that we’ll get political change in this country is if we vote for it so if you really believe in your cause, you should fight for it. It might take time, but it’s worth it. Nothing will ever change if we do nothing.

You can find out more about Steve’s campaign from our interview and podcast with him.  You can also follow Steve on Twitter, or Facebook.  More information on the SDP can be found at https://sdp.org.uk.

Guy Phoenix, Heritage Party candidate for Selby & Ainsty

With the Selby & Ainsty by-election coming up on the 20th July.  We’ve spoken local businessman Guy Phoenix, who is the Heritage Party candidate for the election.

“I have long since reached the conclusion that the United Kingdom is heading in the wrong – and frankly disastrous – direction. The Heritage party has the only Manifesto and Policies that are completely aligned with my own views.”

This may be the first time some people have had a chance to vote for the Heritage Party. Can you introduce the party and say a bit about what it stands for.

The Heritage Party was formed in 2020 to defend our heritage and restore our nation. The Heritage Party stands for common sense principles and policies including:

  • Protect our culture and heritage
  • Traditional family values
  • Protect children from grooming and sexualisation
  • National sovereignty
  • Control our borders
  • Financial responsibility
  • Self-sufficiency in skills
  • Self-sufficiency in energy
  • No more lockdowns

Can you introduce yourself to the people of Selby and Ainsty, and also tell us what got you involved in politics?

I’m a local businessman and my Company has offices in Ripon, Leeds and Gargrave. I’m 55 and have never – until now – been involved in politics.

So why have I decided to get involved now? Well, I have long since reached the conclusion that the United Kingdom is heading in the wrong – and frankly disastrous – direction. The Heritage party has the only Manifesto and Policies that are completely aligned with my own views.

Once I joined the Heritage Party and decided it was time to do something rather than sit and watch the disastrous policies of the fake Conservatives and the Uni-Party (Con-Lab-Lib-Green) continue to destroy the Country. So after discussions with our Party Leader David Kurten I decided to put my name forwards in the Selby & Ainsty by-election.

” I have been canvassing door-to-door and the same message comes through – people want change. But not just change from one Old Party to another – people realise that isn’t change at all”

Since then, I have been canvassing door-to-door and the same message comes through – people want change. But not just change from one Old Party to another – people realise that isn’t change at all, just more of the same. They agree that this means voting for a new party like the Heritage Party. Some people express concern that voting for a small party may be a waste of a vote. Well, voting for a principled Party whose policies you agree with is never a waste. Plus, if most people vote for us we’ll no longer be a small party!

“Through policies of financial responsibility and low taxation, the Heritage Party will seek to increase workplace participation amongst the economically inactive and encourage employment for all.”

If elected what are the local challenges you want to champion?

From the 2021 Census there is a clear alignment of the constituency’s people and needs with the Heritage Party’s policies. I could answer this question with dozens of issues, but here are my top three:

  • The Constituency has only 60.9% in employment. This is far too low. Through policies of financial responsibility and low taxation, the Heritage Party will seek to increase workplace participation amongst the economically inactive and encourage employment for all.
  • The Constituency has low levels of academic and vocational education achievement. Education Level 1,2 or 3 qualifications stand at just 42.3%. The UK must become self-sufficient in skills rather than relying on importing skilled and unskilled labour from abroad. Education needs to be re-focussed onto fostering excellence and teaching pupils and students the skills they need to be self-reliant.

We must train enough of our own young people to succeed and thrive in professional and technical careers, particularly as nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers, construction workers and IT professionals. The Heritage Party will champion this training and education appropriately – not every vocation requires a Degree!

  • The Constituency is predominantly rural. Only the Heritage Party has policies to support rural areas. We have some of the best agricultural land in the world which is a precious resource and should be preserved for agriculture. Despite this, there is huge pressure to concrete over large areas of our green belt and the countryside to build housing for artificially inflated population growth, or for solar panels and wind turbines to satisfy the false claims of green ideology. This pressure must be resisted and I will do so if elected.

How can people find out more and get involved in your campaign?

There are many ways to find out more and to get involved:

Lorna Corke, Christians Peoples Alliance candidate for Somerton and Frome by-election.

With the Somerton and Frome by-election coming up on the 20th July.  We bring details of Somerset resident and former local Councillor Lorna Corke, who is the Christians Peoples Alliance (CPA) candidate for election.

“a local Councillor in the County for 4 years from 2014. From that position she was elected onto Local Government Association Think Tanks looking at Children and Young People and Education.  She was a parent governor of a local school for 8 years”

Lorna Corke served as a local Councillor in the County for 4 years from 2014. From that position she was elected onto Local Government Association Think Tanks looking at Children and Young People and Education.  She was a parent governor of a local school for 8 years.

She previously worked in a voluntary capacity for the Children Country Holiday Association for deprived children, vetting families to give children the opportunity of enjoying country holidays.  She was involved in the holiday letting and long-term letting industry for around 35 years. She still lets out 2 properties. Lorna has also been involved in sheep farming and still looks after sheep. She is very concerned that new houses should be built on brownfield sites and NOT farmland.

“The Christian belief that sex should be between a man and a woman inside marriage should at least be taught as an option. So should the moral beliefs of other religions”

The CPA is focusing on two main areas:

  • We want moral education
  • We would transform the economy

Lorna said “The Christian belief that sex should be between a man and a woman inside marriage should at least be taught as an option. So should the moral beliefs of other religions. We also want puberty blockers banned which mostly lead to sterilization of children.”

“During the King’s coronation Rishi Sunak read from the Bible ‘In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, all things have been created through him.’ Yet in our schools the New Age theory of evolution is taught that doesn’t explain where life came from. Even excluding the possibility that God created the world. This is indoctrination not teaching. Christians believe God created the world and controls the climate.”

“We would use the anticipated £40.5bn raised to;
Get rid of all Commercial rates to help City Centres (£21bn)…
Support marriage and the family by giving a £12,000 grant before a first marriage and £6,000 grant before a first child is born if it is within wedlock (£3bn)”

Leader of the CPA Sid Cordle said the “CPA policy is for a turnover tax to be set at 5% initially which will be a sellers VAT with the same threshold as purchasers VAT, £85,000. We would offset it against corporation tax (tax on profits) so British Companies would pay less. The idea is to get tax off Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Starbucks, Shell etc. who send all their profits abroad and so don’t pay corporation tax. We would use the anticipated £40.5bn raised to;

  • Get rid of all Commercial rates to help City Centres (£21bn),
  • Restore the cuts to benefits to get rid of the 5 week waiting period a key reason why people attend food banks (£12bn),
  • Support marriage and the family by giving a £12,000 grant before a first marriage and £6,000 grant before a first child is born if it is within wedlock (£3bn),
  • Guarantee everyone who leaves prison a place to live to cut reoffending and guarantee everyone sleeping rough a night shelter and free meal (£4.5bn).”

Sid goes on to say “We would also set up a new Professional Standards Authority directly answerable to ministers and get rid of numerous quangos such as the Teachers Regulatory Authority, Social Work England, Wilton House etc. This will drastically cut red tape. All quangos that remain like the Financial Conduct Authority will also be answerable directly to ministers. This will help stop the civil service undermining ministerial decisions. Before the 2010 election, the Taxpayers Alliance issued a manifesto that highlighted the presence of 1,148 quangos spending £90 billion a year.  These are mostly still intact.  We estimate we can save £30bn a year immediately we will use on capital spending. (Over 5 years we would have £150bn to spend). We believe a new 6 runway hub airport in the Thames Estuary would do most for the British economy and reduce pollution. Capital spending like this creates wealth which means we can in time eliminate the deficit and reduce debt.

We would reintroduce GP fundholding which operated in the 1990s very successfully to transform the NHS and make it efficient again.

These are radical policies, but we know they work and we know they would transform the economy.”

You can contact Lorna at [email protected], find the CPA online, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Enomfon Ntefon, Christians Peoples Alliance candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election.

With the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election coming up on the 20th July.  We bring details of local resident and Pastor Enomfon Ntefon, who is the Christians Peoples Alliance (CPA) candidate for election.

“Moral education is a major concern of mine. Education should be about teaching different moral points of view including those of Christianity and New Age liberalism and those of other religions especially where they are in a majority”

Enomfon Ntefon has lived in Uxbridge for 12 years working as a nurse in the community. She has led a church in the area with her husband Robert for 7 years until recently. She’s headed up an organisation “Mums against youth crime” for 4 years. She’s also been involved in helping people with food provision in the community that need it. She’s developed a close connection with a number of care homes in the area supporting residents. She spent many years as a parent governor of her local school.

Robert and Enomfon have had 5 children between them now ages 20 to 31. They understand all the problems parents face in modern society.

Enomfon has authored 6 books, 3 of which are related to the family, “Winning mums”, “120 Words of Wisdom” and “Answering your Destiny Call as a Mother”. She’s currently running an “Arrows on Point” parent coaching and mentorship programme.

The CPA is focusing on two main areas:

  • We want moral education
  • We would transform the economy

Enomfen Ntefon said “Moral education is a major concern of mine. Education should be about teaching different moral points of view including those of Christianity and New Age liberalism and those of other religions especially where they are in a majority”

“Many parents have complained, some very vocally, outside schools and reviews have been promised but to date nothing has been done. Sometimes children themselves are protesting about the teaching inside classrooms.”

“The idea is to get tax off Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Starbucks, Shell etc. who send all their profits abroad and so don’t pay corporation tax”

Leader of the CPA Sid Cordle said the “CPA policy is for a turnover tax to be set at 5% initially which will be a sellers VAT with the same threshold as purchasers VAT, £85,000. We would offset it against corporation tax (tax on profits) so British Companies would pay less. The idea is to get tax off Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Starbucks, Shell etc. who send all their profits abroad and so don’t pay corporation tax. We would use the anticipated £40.5bn raised to;

  • Get rid of all Commercial rates to help City Centres (£21bn),
  • Restore the cuts to benefits to get rid of the 5 week waiting period a key reason why people attend food banks (£12bn),
  • Support marriage and the family by giving a £12,000 grant before a first marriage and £6,000 grant before a first child is born if it is within wedlock (£3bn),
  • Guarantee everyone who leaves prison a place to live to cut reoffending and guarantee everyone sleeping rough a night shelter and free meal (£4.5bn).”

“Capital spending like this creates wealth which means we can in time eliminate the deficit and reduce debt.”

Sid goes on to say “We would also set up a new Professional Standards Authority directly answerable to ministers and get rid of numerous quangos such as the Teachers Regulatory Authority, Social Work England, Wilton House etc. This will drastically cut red tape. All quangos that remain like the Financial Conduct Authority will also be answerable directly to ministers. This will help stop the civil service undermining ministerial decisions. Before the 2010 election, the Taxpayers Alliance issued a manifesto that highlighted the presence of 1,148 quangos spending £90 billion a year.  These are mostly still intact.  We estimate we can save £30bn a year immediately we will use on capital spending. (Over 5 years we would have £150bn to spend). We believe a new 6 runway hub airport in the Thames Estuary would do most for the British economy and reduce pollution. Capital spending like this creates wealth which means we can in time eliminate the deficit and reduce debt.

We would reintroduce GP fundholding which operated in the 1990s very successfully to transform the NHS and make it efficient again.

These are radical policies, but we know they work and we know they would transform the economy.”

You can contact Enomfon at [email protected], find the CPA online, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Herman Sabo, member of the Georgian Parliament for Girchi (libertarian) Party

The country of Georgia sits in the Caucasus at the intersection of Europe and Asia. With access to the Black Sea, it borders Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.  Georgia regained independence in 1991 following the collapse if the Soviet Union, and is now a parliamentary democracy, with a 150 member unicameral chamber.  Four members come from Girchi and classical liberal / libertarian party, and we spoke with Herman Sabo (also Herman Szabó) from Girchi and a Member of the Parliament of Georgia.

By www.pia.ge, CC BY-SA 4.0,

How did you first get involved with libertarian politics and Girchi?

I got involved in Girchi and politics in 2015 when 4 MPs from the opposition split from the “United National Movement” party and in 2016 created their own political platform called “New Political Center – Girchi” (“Girchi” translates in English as “Pinecone”). At first, I was hired as a media relations manager. I was arranging press conferences and communicating with media representatives.  Soon after, I got interested in the ideas of my party and started listening to our politicians.  YouTube was also a great help in understanding what our political goals are, and why. Also, what kind of morality libertarianism based on.

While still serving as a media manager, I started my own educational project, “Sabo’s translations“.  I was selecting short videos on YouTube about politics, morals, economics, and philosophy, translating them into Georgian for public access.

In 2020 our party gained 2.9% in elections, and now we are holding 4 seats in the 150-seat Parliament of Georgia.

“We’re still fighting with the Soviet legacy in almost every social or government institution. Our education system is almost the same as 50 years ago. Our Criminal code is the same (even stricter) as the Soviet criminal code.”

For those that don’t know much about Georgia, can you tell us about the big issues facing the county?

Georgia has population of 3.7 million, a post-soviet country with lots of issues.  We’re still fighting with the Soviet legacy in almost every social or government institution. Our education system is almost the same as 50 years ago. Our Criminal code is the same (even stricter) as the Soviet criminal code.

The biggest issue is that after the fall of the Soviets, all the “government property” is still on the balance sheets of a free and more-less-capitalist Georgian government.  This means 70% of land, 100% of all forests, and 100% of all mineral goods are owned by the government and excluded from free market economics.

Our judiciary system is a mimicry of the Soviet system, as none of Georgia’s rulers have had the will or desire to truly reform it to achieve an independent and transparent court system.

As a result of all of this, we remain a poor, underdeveloped country, 7 times poorer than the average EU country.

“We are also very concerned by inflation caused by our Central bank (THE only source of inflation is a fiat-money issuer in every country), and we’d love to have a multicurrency regime in Georgia”

What are the party’s main policies, what would you most like to change in your country?

We are focused on spreading classic liberal values.  We understand that drastic reforms and changes could be suicidal for a political party if those reforms are not based on well-explained and well-understood ideas.  If we’ll succeed in explaining ideas like self-sovereignty, private property, and freedom of expression, we could lead Georgian society on a way of prosperity and rule of law, free and independent courts, and true decentralization of regions.

We are also very concerned by inflation caused by our Central bank (THE only source of inflation is a fiat-money issuer in every country), and we’d love to have a multicurrency regime in Georgia.  Citizens should be free to choose which money they trust and want to use – fiat, crypto, gold, etc.

How engaged are Georgians with Libertarian ideas?

Many classic liberal ideas were natural for Georgian society before the Soviet occupation of our country in 1921.  The founding father of modern Georgia, Ilia Chavchavadze, was a classic liberal (libertarian, in modern terms). He was translating and spreading books by famous libertarian author Frederic Bastiat.

Georgians were freedom-loving property owners, with guns/swords in every family, minding their businesses, and had a system of elected judges to resolve their everyday problems.  The Soviets changed everything and almost erased the image of “Old Georgian” from the minds of our parents and grandparents.

Our youth are more receptive to Libertarian ideas. They love freedom and feel that those ideas are organic to them, with some kind of gut feeling.  The older generation is not very fond of our ideas and ways. They see them as a threat to Georgian identity, but we try to explain that “Georgian identity” is whatever we are saying, not the ideas the Soviet KGB planted in our society.

So far, our success rate is only around 3%. [Note from Editor: This is far higher than in most countries]

“We’ve supported our communication with actions to prove that we believe in the ideas we talk about”

How does your party go about gaining support?

Since the beginning, we’ve chosen social media platforms and the internet as our main sources of spreading ideas and communicating with the potential electorate. Amongst Georgian political parties we’ve got;

Youth loves our tone of voice – straight-forward, down-to-earth, easy-to-understand, with good visualizations and infographics.

We’ve supported our communication with actions to prove that we believe in the ideas we talk about.  Girchi was fighting against Marijuana criminalization, so 84 of us planted Marijuana on 2017 New Year’s Eve. We were facing 12 years in jail for that Public Disobedience Act. Then we won in the Constitutional Court of Georgia, and now cannabis consumption is legal in our country.

Made before the party gain elected representatives.

We also fight against mandatory army draft, so we used our Defence Code, which says that “Priests are exempted from the army”. We created our own religious organization – “Biblical Freedom,” and ordained around 50,000 young Georgians up till today.  You can read more about this on our Wikipedia Page, in Euraianet, and at Radio Free Europe.

You can also find Girchi online and on Twitter.  To help fund Girchi go to https://www.girchi.com/donate/politician.

Podcast Episode 85 – Steve Gardner: SDP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip – ULEZ, Policing & Housing

We are joined by Steve Gardner, the SDP candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip in the upcoming Parliamentary by-election. Steve tells us about his background in the army, his love for his home constituency and his priorities of; scrapping the ULEZ expansion, improved pro-active policing and suitable and affordable housing.

You can also read interview with Steve mentioned in the podcast at https://croydonconstitutionalists.uk/steve-gardner-uxbridge/

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Contents:
00:00 – Intro
01:24 – Background in the Army
05:00 – The Constituency
06:48 – Priorities
12:20 – How to get involved
14:00 – Website & Events
16:22 – Outro

Martin Hartmann, President of the Libertarian Party in Switzerland.

Always keen to speak to those promoting liberty and freedom not just in the UK but across the globe, we were delighted to speak with Martin Hartmann, President of the Libertarian Party in Switzerland.

How did you first get involved with libertarian politics and the Libertarian Party?

In 2012, the Hayek Club of Zurich gave some lectures on Austrian economics at the university in the evening. This made more sense to me than what I had learned in my economics studies. In 2014, the Libertarian Party was founded, in which I have been involved ever since.

“people have forgotten self-responsibility. They can no longer decide for their lives. And they don’t want to”

For those that don’t know much about Swiss politics can you tell us about the big political issues facing the county?

Better safe than sorry – With Corona as well as with the whole climate discussion, people have forgotten self-responsibility. They can no longer decide for their lives. And they don’t want to. They would rather be “on the right side”. So they look for a general guide or leader to tell them what to do. The consequences: A bigger state, more debt, higher taxes, more laws and rules.

“Our constitution emphasizes federalism and subsidiarity. Unfortunately, we are experiencing just the opposite: centralism and one-size-fits-all solutions. Returning to the principles that have made us successful is crucial”

What are the party’s main policies, what would you most like to change in your country?

Our constitution emphasizes federalism and subsidiarity. Unfortunately, we are experiencing just the opposite: centralism and one-size-fits-all solutions. Returning to the principles that have made us successful is crucial. Better alternatives to a centralized one-size-fits-all approach would be a federal competition of systems and ideas – or even better – privately competing solutions. Private solutions outperform services provided by the state by far.

How engaged are the people of Switzerland with Libertarian ideas?

Unfortunately, they are not really committed. The majority follow the existing system, which leads to all the failures we currently have. Perhaps they live in fear of trying something themselves and taking responsibility. At least some awakening during Corona has made the Swiss think about alternatives.

How does your party go about gaining support?

We participate in elections – without a real chance, but to reach the public. We meet physically at least once a month. And we maintain a network of freethinkers by means of our libertarian calendar with all liberal events in Switzerland. We also write quarterly election recommendations and participate in legislative deliberations.

“Remain independent! Allow secession. Reject all centralism and socialism”

Lastly, do you have any thoughts on British politics?

Remain independent! Allow secession. Reject all centralism and socialism. Don’t let the EU take control away from you again. Stop all government spending outside your country – no development aid and no wars abroad.

Wir lieben Freiheit – We love freedom

The Libertarian Party in Switzerland can be found online, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.

Steve Gardner, SDP candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election.

Following the resignation of Boris Johnson from Parliament, a by-election has been called in the Uxbridge & South Ruislip constituency for the 20th July.  We’ve spoken local man Steve Gardner, who is the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for election.

“The SDP is a patriotic, economically left-leaning and socially right leaning, culturally traditional party”

This may be the first time some people have had a chance to vote for the SDP. Can you introduce the party and say a bit about what it stands for.

The SDP is a patriotic, economically left-leaning and socially right leaning, culturally traditional party. We’ve been going for some time and these days, we’re a grass roots party with no vested interests. We have long term policies and genuinely want to improve things for the better. After feeling politically homeless, I was directed to the SDP and I liked what I saw!

“My entire family reside in the constituency with the vast majority of us in Hillingdon and it really is a great place to live”

Can you introduce yourself to the people of Uxbridge & South Ruislip, and also tell us what got you involved in politics?

My name is Steve Gardner and I’ve lived in the constituency for over 25 years. I served in the British Army for five years and was operational during the First Gulf War. I was also an Army Cadet Officer for 15 years, leaving as a Captain. My entire family reside in the constituency with the vast majority of us in Hillingdon and it really is a great place to live. I just want to make it better and safer. I’m sure those who live in the surrounding areas of Ickenham, Yiewsley, Cowley and West Drayton would agree.

I never really had any interest in becoming a politician but I was urged to do so by family and friends. The system is broken; politicians no longer seem to work for the people and that needs to change. To do this you have to join the system. To be elected as the representative of your community is one of the highest honours one can achieve and shouldn’t be taken lightly. We urgently need to shake the system up for the better.

“Scrap the ULEZ extension. It’s a stealth tax that will have a minimal effect on the environment. It’s just a way of making easy money and it’s always the motorist who has to pay the price”

If elected what are the local challenges you want to champion?

My three main election issues are to:

  1. Scrap the ULEZ extension. It’s a stealth tax that will have a minimal effect on the environment. It’s just a way of making easy money and it’s always the motorist who has to pay the price. It’s outrageous that it’s got this far and people are rightfully angry.
  2. To fight crime through improved pro-active policing. The politicians have massively let down the Police who have been unable to carry out their jobs properly. They should be supported, backed and encouraged to pro-actively police our communities to make them safer. Everyone should be able to feel safe and secure.
  3. To have affordable and suitable housing that prioritises local residents. The main reason that the community spirit is absent is because people can’t afford to live where they grew up which means they move out of the area. They should have priority over local housing. Communities that bond are safer communities for all.

How can people find out more and get involved in your campaign?

Through social media either on my twitter page @SGardnerSDP, or via Facebook @SDPNWLondon.  More information on the SDP can be found on our website – https://sdp.org.uk.

I’m confident that people will read our policies and agree with the majority of them and hopefully support us. We’re the only real credible alternative to the same old show that gets played out every few years. It’s time for change.

Jonathon Mabbutt, SDP candidate for Bethnal Green and Stepney

Jonathon Mabbutt has been announced as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green and Stepney.  We spoke with Jon about party, the constituency, and the upcoming campaign.

“We passionately believe in democracy, freedom of speech and a rational approach to policy”

Many people will have heard of the SDP, but maybe not for some years.  Can you briefly introduce the party and tell us what it stands for?

The Social Democratic Party was once a big force in British politics, finishing third in an alliance with the Liberals. The majority of the party merged to form the Liberal Democrats but those who remained kept the party alive. Fast forward to today and we are the fastest growing grassroots party and plan to field more candidates at the next election that at any time since the 80s.

We are fighting for the common good in Britain’s national interest. We passionately believe in democracy, freedom of speech and a rational approach to policy. We believe in a strong social sector and building national resilience against global shocks. We hold to traditional values and stand for community, family, and nation.

Can you also let our readers know about yourself, and what led you to get involved in politics?

I am a husband and father and I have been working for charities in the homelessness and addiction sector for the last 15 years. I was a youth and children’s worker for a church for 2 years prior to that. I have always wanted to do work that helped people, especially those in difficult circumstances, and getting involved with the SDP is really a continuation of that.

“the SDP is a party that is actually offering solutions and reflects the mainstream very well, especially in places left behind by political indifference”

You’re the parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green and Stepney, what’s made you decide to stand?

I have always been interested in politics but never felt represented by any of the mainstream parties. This is quite a common experience. Much of the nation is pretty detached from the views of the Westminster bubble. By contrast the SDP is a party that is actually offering solutions and reflects the mainstream very well, especially in places left behind by political indifference. If we are to bring change that would benefit us all then we need good candidates. After much consideration I decided that I couldn’t complain from the side-lines any longer.

“We have huge issues of overcrowding with many, many flats housing far more people than there are bedrooms. The social housing stock here is miniscule and what remains is often very run down”

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

I’m standing in Bethnal Green. We have huge issues of overcrowding with many, many flats housing far more people than there are bedrooms. The social housing stock here is miniscule and what remains is often very run down. We also have extremely high levels of child poverty and a lack of social cohesion.

On the national level I’m passionate about standing up for free speech and free association, a respect for the family and the role of parents and getting the state back into housebuilding. I’m in favour of a reduction in economic migration and a compassionate yet sensible approach to the refugee crisis which prioritises taking the most insecure people in refugee camps over those from Europe crossing illegally with the help of criminal gangs.

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

I would invite people to take a look at the policies and new declaration on our website sdp.org.uk, and if they speak to your concerns then consider joining us. Likewise, you can e-mail me at [email protected].

You can also follow Jon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jonmabbutt.