Towards a Libertarian Union?
Ok, so, following on from my pessimistic post from the other day, what next for UK libertarians? I’m not going to rehash my arguments about why I think LPUK is screwed. What I will point out is this – the members of and advocates for the party who approach a realistic position are those who, like me, would argue that any real success for that party lies in the distant future. And given the constant encroach of statism and its advocates, the question is pertinent – what do libertarians do while waiting for LPUK to get up and running/do if the party disappears?
We can find a clue in the Rally Against Debt. A grassroots campaign started by two UKIP members has grown massively in a very short space of time. Indeed, its growth is something that LPUK could, and perhaps should, be jealous of. Why has it been so successful? In part, it is about topicality. Debts and spending cuts are at the heart of the debate raging in British politics today. But there is another reason. The rally against debt is not party political, and thus it is not exclusive. It can attract people from the Tories, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, LPUK and independents. Whereas a political party can only really attract those with no other party affiliation, or an affiliation that they are happy to sacrifice. That automatically limits its potential. So topicality and being inclusive rather than exclusive. What sort of organisation could allow for that?
It occurs to me that some sort of Union might be the way forward (or Federation, for those right-wingers who can’t cope with the idea of Unions). An organisation that can offer people membership in tandem with membership of other organisations – just as members of Trade Unions can be (and often are) members of the Labour party. But rather than offering representation in the workplace, this could be an organisation that fights for its members in the pursuit of liberty. As a Federation/Union, it could do things other than fight elections directly. It could offer support to campaigns run by other organisations (like No2ID, the IEA and the Adam Smith Institute) and highlight events like the Rally Against Debt. At the same time, it could run its own campaigns. It could also have spokespersons on crucial issues and topical events – for example, an organisation that might offer Tim Worstall as Economics Spokesperson and Chris Snowdon as Health Spokesperson (or at least debunking the spurious claims of health “experts” spokesperson) would be pretty formidable. And it could do so without demanding they join a particular party. Likewise, it could attempt to attract high-profile libertarian politicians to write for it on occasion.
But where it could be most formidable is through having a dedicated band of volunteers who could work on behalf of libertarian leaning politicians in election campaigns. Politicians like Douglas Carswell, Steve Baker and Dan Hannan. And LPUK, if they ever become credible contenders in elections. On the flipside, it could also campaign against egregiously statist politicians. A host of Libertarian inclined people pounding the streets in Ed Balls' constituency arguing against his re-election could make all the difference, for example. Indeed, the organisation could replicate the influence of the Tea Party in America (albeit without that organisation’s occasional lapses into insanity). Not backing one party or running its own candidates, it could instead offer support to any candidate it perceives to be a champion of liberty.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easily achieved. Getting libertarians is, as numerous people point out, like herding cats. And there would be a need for the organisation to be professional at all times. There’s no point it being a super-swear-blog; candidates should want to be associated with it, rather than embarrassed by it. But a looser organisation than a political party, one more able to choose what battles it fights, might be able to circumvent the inherent anti-small party biases of our political system. A powerful, grassroots pressure group that can make or break candidates in constituencies maybe far more effective than entryism into an existing party or LPUK. The aspiration would be to have a UK based version of the NRA or a major Trade Union (albeit not necessarily with the core beliefs of either). It wouldn’t be easy, but it might just be worth it.
We can find a clue in the Rally Against Debt. A grassroots campaign started by two UKIP members has grown massively in a very short space of time. Indeed, its growth is something that LPUK could, and perhaps should, be jealous of. Why has it been so successful? In part, it is about topicality. Debts and spending cuts are at the heart of the debate raging in British politics today. But there is another reason. The rally against debt is not party political, and thus it is not exclusive. It can attract people from the Tories, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, LPUK and independents. Whereas a political party can only really attract those with no other party affiliation, or an affiliation that they are happy to sacrifice. That automatically limits its potential. So topicality and being inclusive rather than exclusive. What sort of organisation could allow for that?
It occurs to me that some sort of Union might be the way forward (or Federation, for those right-wingers who can’t cope with the idea of Unions). An organisation that can offer people membership in tandem with membership of other organisations – just as members of Trade Unions can be (and often are) members of the Labour party. But rather than offering representation in the workplace, this could be an organisation that fights for its members in the pursuit of liberty. As a Federation/Union, it could do things other than fight elections directly. It could offer support to campaigns run by other organisations (like No2ID, the IEA and the Adam Smith Institute) and highlight events like the Rally Against Debt. At the same time, it could run its own campaigns. It could also have spokespersons on crucial issues and topical events – for example, an organisation that might offer Tim Worstall as Economics Spokesperson and Chris Snowdon as Health Spokesperson (or at least debunking the spurious claims of health “experts” spokesperson) would be pretty formidable. And it could do so without demanding they join a particular party. Likewise, it could attempt to attract high-profile libertarian politicians to write for it on occasion.
But where it could be most formidable is through having a dedicated band of volunteers who could work on behalf of libertarian leaning politicians in election campaigns. Politicians like Douglas Carswell, Steve Baker and Dan Hannan. And LPUK, if they ever become credible contenders in elections. On the flipside, it could also campaign against egregiously statist politicians. A host of Libertarian inclined people pounding the streets in Ed Balls' constituency arguing against his re-election could make all the difference, for example. Indeed, the organisation could replicate the influence of the Tea Party in America (albeit without that organisation’s occasional lapses into insanity). Not backing one party or running its own candidates, it could instead offer support to any candidate it perceives to be a champion of liberty.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easily achieved. Getting libertarians is, as numerous people point out, like herding cats. And there would be a need for the organisation to be professional at all times. There’s no point it being a super-swear-blog; candidates should want to be associated with it, rather than embarrassed by it. But a looser organisation than a political party, one more able to choose what battles it fights, might be able to circumvent the inherent anti-small party biases of our political system. A powerful, grassroots pressure group that can make or break candidates in constituencies maybe far more effective than entryism into an existing party or LPUK. The aspiration would be to have a UK based version of the NRA or a major Trade Union (albeit not necessarily with the core beliefs of either). It wouldn’t be easy, but it might just be worth it.
Labels: Carswell, Civil Liberties (the Death of), Hannan, Lib Dems, Libertarians, LPUK, Rally Against Debt, Steve Baker, Tea Party, Tories, Trade Unions, UKIP, Unions
posted by The Nameless Libertarian @ 9:30 pm
8 Comments
8 Comments:
"It occurs to me that some sort of Union might be the way forward (or Federation, for those right-wingers who can’t cope with the idea of Unions)."
Or, an alliance maybe—a Libertarian Alliance.
Haaaang on a moment... ;-)
DK
I like your thinking. DK's right to point out the LA, but they have their personality-based foibles, and there's always room for another gunboat in the flotilla. That's really how I saw LPUK, rather than as an election-winning machine, more an association to spread libertarian ideas. I will be watching to see what develops. On the plus side, we have grown, in one sense - we now have two factions! Three if you count all the people who've left.
@DK, as a lowly member, I got the impression there was shit going on behind the scenes, which made me uneasy, and this seems to bear that out. I know you're too much of a gentleman to reveal such things, but feel free to contradict my impression.
That's really how I saw LPUK, rather than as an election-winning machine, more an association to spread libertarian ideas.
Indeed. It has been useful to be able to hand people one of those little cards that came with the membership pack, or to direct them to the web page (I preferred the old one) with the list of policies. People generally seem more interested in the latter than in the theory.
I know of one very minor party which openly admits that they will never get elected and that their purpose is simply to propagandise.
You'd expect me to say it, given the moves for this new blog and I notice you mention Chris Snowdon in the post. It may be that a more general libertarian thrust is needed.
Great idea but further to DK's comment and setting aside think tanks per se:
http://uklibertyleague.org/
http://libertycabal.org/wp/
http://www.libertarian.co.uk/
The three libertarian-leaning politicians you mention are all Conservatives. Mix in the fact that sex, drugs and guns are election losers and it may be that the appropriate practical campaigning organisation for a society based on the philosophy of liberty is the Conservative Party.
Of course, I'd like to believe the right answer will emerge spontaneously...
Yep, I'm aware of the Libertarian Alliance. But building on what TT says, I'd like an organisation with more presence, more reach and more impact on practical politics. No reason why the LA can't do this in future, though.
COuld LPUK do it? Only if they cease to be a party. No more running in elections - funds instead spent on campaigning on libertarian issues. That would probably suit the party more - as largely internet based group is better at campaigning than being elected, generally speaking.
And there is always room for more libertarian blogs - especially those with multiple authors.
Whatever the solution, though, I'm pretty sure it ian't the Tories. Yes, they may count as members the three politicians I mention in post, but I don't get the impression that anyone of them is a particular influence on party policies (by all means correct me if I am wrong Steve). In a sense, the party's ability to be genuinely libertarian is limited by the social conservatism of many of its activists (I speak from my experience in the Tory party).
As for sex/drugs/guns being vote losers - well, yes they are, and they will continue to be so until a sensible, non-shrill debate happens about them. Part of that process will be organisations speaking out and making the unpopular cases. Of course, it is easier for me to say that than an elected official who has to face his/her local party and the electorate in his/her constitunecy. But that is partly my point - an organisation not facing elections is far freer to make the Libertarian case.
TNL
As far as I can see, LPUK needs more sex, drugs and guns! I'm only sorry that the current business involves none of these factors.
TNL,
the thing is getting people together is hard. A party is one way to do that. In my limited experience, the party has been a good opportunity to meet like-minded people. LA is good also, and the couple of events I've attended were very enjoyable (I met two of the people on this thread at these! Both very nice chaps, I must say). But, LA seems to be very much one man's fiefdom, and I don't think he allows it to be pulled in directions where he doesn't want it taken.
On the issue at hand, I'll stick my neck out and say that 95% of those rallying on the 14th May (myself included) are supporters of the TaxPayers' Alliance...
...who in turn are now one of the main backers of the event.
I think their profile is big enough that we (as grassroots) should all get behind them. They've already got the publicity and the people.
On the other hand, if out of this comes some sort of Tea Party, connected or not to the TPA, I'm in.
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