A Liberalism of Public Things

ABSTRACT

The social democratic ideological tradition ‐ including the liberalism within it ‐ should be described more accurately and defended. Liberalism within social democracy is the liberalism of public things and of cooperation, and of pride in welcoming places, based on mutual respect and understanding; it is the liberalism which builds societies of many possibilities, providing great breadth of education, culture and joy; and it is the liberalism that values the opportunities and responsibilities of international partnerships, whether of trade or security. The Starmer government, on occasion, fell into an illiberal trap, particularly on migration policy. A reassertion of liberal values would help the centre‐left make better choices, both morally and economically. A defence of liberalism is a necessary effort, and that defence is best done by thinking through how the liberal thread that runs through social democracy helps us pull together a more hopeful, optimistic politics.