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what is important to you?
#1
I want people to discuss what is important to them? So please take this opportunity to say what is, don't wait until one of the major parties finally stumbles on the issues that are important....and then tell you what is going to happen... lets get these issues out in the open and lets debate them! Colin France
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#2
Hopefully we may come up with some issues that we can make a difference on and which will make a difference to the Liberal Party.

Nigel
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#3
I'm passionate about social justice, the environment, animal welfare and a future for young people. All areas covered one way or another by the Liberal Party.
However there are other areas that I think are important, road safety being one of them. In this area I very much like the work of RoadPeace. An area of neglected safety on our roads is drains and manhole covers. For those on 2 wheels these can be lethal when wet. It would be possible for these to be coated with an anti-slip dressing thus preventing hundreds of accidents every year. It always amazes me vast sums are spent on building new roads when proper maintenance cannot be carried out on the present ones.
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#4
What is important to me is restoring the Liberal Party of old, so it is suited to 21st century. It seems that the internal dynamics of political parties cause drift over successive generations. This means fashions are implanted rather than the achievement of a Liberal world. We know that a Liberal World is imperfect, so minimal checks and balances need to be developed. That is opposite to Margaret Thatcher's deregulation that has accelerated the UK's decline and recent banana republic as well as sweated labour policies. There is a major crisis ahead in the UK and EU as current economic forces collide.

Roots of Liberalism 
Free Trade, Utilitarianism and descent from the establish church were the hallmarks of Liberal thought. We may still want disestablishment, but Christian Protestantism is a little irrelevant these days. There is no reason we cannot aim for paradise in the world, but now we need to talk about the "Moral Good" in non-religious terms. It is surprising how the original Islamic teachings found in many traditions correlate with Liberalism. So, we need not need to rely on Christian Morality alone as religious codes are universal.   

On this basis, one is able to address the modern world with a Liberal viewpoint. Often Liberals start following socialist philosophies. However, we all know in our hearts that socialism will never work, because of human nature and the narcissism of political and institutional leadership. 

We need to address political power and those that wield it, making sure it is for the common good. Like Charles Bradlaugh I am a Republican, but am happy with a constitutional monarchy over a President Blair or President Thatcher. 
- I wish for transparency in all affairs from tax, assets, to their family etc. It is a trust we expect from members of parliament. If they cannot fill these requirements why are they putting themselves for public office?
- Many leaders exhibit traits for mental illness. In a world teetering on a knife edge, this matter has to be considered. We do not have to look far to notice serious dysfunction in foreign and some homegrown politicians. 
- We need unelected political advisers out of government. We need a return to an unbiased independent civil service and cabinet government. This begins to sound like Jo Grimmond's arguments. 
- I think state political funding, the right to deselect MP's, regional decentralised government in areas like medical care and education go without saying for England.

It is better to regulate markets than intervene. 
- Once Banks could not lend on housing stock only commercial property. 
- Why not make it obligatory on house developers that they must insure new builds against flooding for sixty years. 
- We need to revisit joint stock company acts, mutuals and charities. It may be necessary to talk with FSB and The Oddfellows. They have been raising issues for business and mutual regulation.

As a first flurry into a number of issues, this infographic is important in discussing the Education Debate. Let us not forget that current education policy is a complete failure to develop the skills needed for our economy and to create tomorrow's economy. Academic education is dronelike and concentrates on facts not the manipulation of education. We are likely to enter an age where computing will dominate future education giving rise to many new issues about human rights and what education should be. 
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