Category: Topical Talks

Anything relating to topical things, whether it’s religion, politics or something else that’s likely to divide opinion.

Would Jesus have been a Liberal Democrat?

A slightly strange title I'll admit, but as a prelude to my Master's dissertation "Is God a Lib Dem?" (if my title is accepted by the faculty powers-that-be), I thought I'd go back to my academic roots and spend a bit of time thinking about Christology and in particular, the basis that both theological and political liberalism may have had with the man named Jesus of Nazareth. Now of course, this isn't to suggest that Jesus would have actually voted for the Lib Dems, or that he would have been Continue reading [...]

True Blue: The Future Must Be Brighter, It Must Be Orange

Apologies for the rather clichéd title. I actually used the latter part in a draft post I started weeks ago in which I discussed the future of the Liberal Democrats under the leadership of Tim Farron. Like so many of my posts it started, then other things took precedent and so it flitted away into the growing archive of blogs that shall never be. This week has been interesting; this week has opened my eyes. The Conservative Conference happened, and then BBC Question Time happened. With these two Continue reading [...]

The Trade Union Bill Isn’t Perfect, But Reform Is Needed

I've done nothing but write political pieces recently and to those readers who enjoy my theological articles, I apologise. I restart my Master's degree tomorrow so I hope to get back into the swing of things soon: my theological musings will return soon enough. But for now, another political rant from your favourite Lib Dem. I have a horrible feeling that I'm getting a reputation for being wholly illiberal amongst many of my peers within the Liberal Democrats; firstly I speak out against aspects Continue reading [...]

I’m a Liberal, and I’m Ambivalent towards Europe.

A controversial statement from a Liberal Democrat I admit, but the past few days has had me reflected on my attitude towards the European Union and the way I will vote in the upcoming referendum in 2016/2017. At the moment, I plan to abstain from the vote. Why, you ask? Firstly because I know little about the benefits of staying in the EU and even less about the consequences of leaving, but most importantly because there are aspects about the EU I like, and there are aspects of it that I dislike. I Continue reading [...]

Petition to Change Our Electoral System

Dear readers, As you know from previous posts around the General Election, the issue of electoral reform is something I care very deeply about. This morning I began an online petition to prompt the government to debate the issue in Parliament. I support a system of proportional representation by the Single Transferrable Vote; this has been a key policy of the Liberal Democrats (and formerly the Liberal Party) for over 20 years and something I think the British public need to be made aware of. The Continue reading [...]