Libertarianism in the United Kingdom
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Libertarianism in the United Kingdom is an increasingly influential political ideology and movement,[1] reflecting the prominence of libertarianism in the United States.
Most prominent libertarian politicians are in Conservative Party, of whose ideology libertarianism has formed a significant part, particularly since Margaret Thatcher's premiership. Under Iain Duncan Smith's leadership of the party, dissatisfaction with the direction of the party led to talk of a split, with the secession of the libertarian faction - including as many as 50 MPs - and the creation of a separate libertarian party.[2] However, this did not materialise.
Nonetheless, smaller parties have attempted to attract libertarians. The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) has attempted to break out of its image as a single-issue party by developing into a more rounded libertarian party, with it being construed as an attempt to outflank the Conservatives on economic issues.[3]
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[edit] Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is a political party in the United Kingdom that promotes libertarian policies. It was founded on 1 January 2008 under the leadership of Patrick Vessey, having been registered with the Electoral Commission on 21 November 2007. The party has attracted particular interest in the blogosphere.
The Libertarian Party is running a candidate, blogger and management consultant Ian Parker-Joseph, in the Henley by-election in summer 2008, marking the party's electoral debut[4]. The party's first policy announcement, to scrap income tax, came on 3 March.
[edit] Prominent libertarians
Prominent British libertarians have included:
- Richard Branson (born 1950),[5] businessman
- Alan Duncan (born 1957),[6] Conservative politician
- Daniel Hannan (born 1971), Conservative politician
- Friedrich Hayek (1899 – 1992),[7] economist and author
- Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903),[8] philosopher
- Tom Stoppard (born 1937),[9] playwright
- Chris Tame (1949 – 2006),[10] leader of the Libertarian Alliance
- Main category: British libertarians
[edit] External links
- Libertarian Party official website
- Libertarian Party entry in the Electoral Commission register of political parties
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Walsh, Jason (7 April 2006). Libertarianism limited. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ^ Brogan, Benedict. "Young Tories talk of split unless party is reformed", The Daily Telegraph, 12 August 2002. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ^ Montgomerie, Tim (15 January 2006). UKIP prepare to attack Tories from libertarian right. ConservativeHome. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ^ "New party for fight Henley seat", Thame News. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ Richard Branson - Libertarian. Advocates for Self Government. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Alan Duncan. BBC News (16 October 2002). Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Friedrich August Hayek. Library of Economics and Liberty. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Sciabarra, Chris Matthew (August 1999). The First Libertarian. Liberty. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Langley, William (11 June 2006). Sir Tom Stoppard. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Chris Tame. The Daily Telegraph (7 April 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
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