Friday 30 March 2012

An empty taxi pulled up and the UK Libertarian Party got out

Much as my reason tells me I should leave it alone and not give it the oxygen of publicity, there is the counter argument that it should be rebutted, and there is the little fact that I can't help rubber-necking the car crash which is what's left of the Libertarian Party UK.

Apparently there was an AGM held last week end. There is certainly a new website in operation and a Facebook page, but there is a strange absence of names. Who is the leader? The website gives no clue. Who is the treasurer, referred to in a recent post? No one knows. Is it the same person? Is anyone else in the party? I can but guess.

However, post the AGM, some actions have been taken, one being a YouTube video, purporting to explain what the party stands for. Well, it's libertarianism Jim, but not as we know it. This is not particularly surprising, for whatever skills the erstwhile and presumably current party leader has, his grasp of the political philosophy he claims to espouse has never matched his vice-like grip over the party financial records. The only thing that hints in the right direction is a statement that the party wants to reduce taxation. Well done! What party doesn't claim that. However, this is wholly negated by the party's proclaimed belief in government-run healthcare, pensions, education and all manner of interventions. "What about drugs?" the video asks. The party's policy; 'we favour a debate' or words to that effect.

So the mystery continues, although I expect we will learn more as time passes and the party slips away to the place where so many minor parties go.

4 comments:

Mises said...

I'll lose the interest the moment somebody offers an alternative, but it's an ongoing tragedy that they are still out there rubbishing the name libertarian. They also mention in that video that the government should work hand-in-hand with business.

Trooper Thompson said...

I think that the video is an indication that they may soon dump the name libertarian, as it obviously doen't represent their 'philosophy', and all the libertarians have left.

SadButMadLad said...

Like the post title! ;-)

Trooper Thompson said...

It's adapted from a joke my old man told me referring to Clem Atlee.