By Charlotte Kerby, Deputy Features Editor
EU mobility schemes and the legalisation of cannabis; my interview with the University of Bristol Liberal Democrats Society certainly opened my eyes. Last week I sat down with Taylor Wilson Quon and Teo Sevgen (chair and secretary respectively) to understand what the Liberal Democrats are about, and why students in Bristol should get involved.
Having been asked about the origins of their interest in politics Teo responded ‘politics is always very personal’. With a strong significance placed on individual liberties, Teo explained his resonance with the Liberal Democrats. Taylor highlighted his pursuit of community. Explaining how easy it is to get stuck in your own bubble, he stressed that most individuals don’t even know how their neighbours see the world, which is an interesting insight to consider.
‘We have socialists in the group, we have conservatives in the group, we try to bring people in’.
The pair certainly have a tenacity for discussion. Two ambitious young people with a drive for action, surprisingly neither pursuing a future career in politics, they inspired me to give political party societies at university a chance.
The obvious selling point to me of the Bristol Liberal Democrats seems to be this pursuit of debate. Taylor and Teo reinforced to me multiple times their priority for discussion of different ideas. This is evident in their approach to membership, which is not required to attend Young Liberal talks, an important factor to incite varied discussion.
‘The thing about politics is it is so easy to complain, it is almost British culture to complain.’
‘We have socialists in the group, we have conservatives in the group, we try to bring people in.’
Within their society, conservatives and socialists alike engage in discussion, a refreshing scene given today’s divisive political landscape. And with five MPs booked to talk this year, involvement in the Liberal Democrat society promises an engaging experience.
The pair then explained to me the society’s connection to the Young Liberals; a branch of the Liberal Democrats that enables young people to get involved in party policy making. Teo and Taylor explained that young people are centralised within Liberal Democrat policy making, both of them being core members of the campaign team at the last local elections. They prepped candidates for BBC interviews, attended tours of Airbus Filton and Isambard AI, and met with the heads of first bus and Bristol ports. The Bristol Young Liberals branch also played a key role in passing pro-housing, pro-nuclear and anti-online safety act motions at the most recent Liberal Democrats Conference. Additionally, Harvey Thomas Benton, a Bristol Young Liberals alumnus, is now secretary for the Young Liberals.
In terms of what the Liberal Democrats can do for you as members of society; Teo explained that they pushed for the EU mobility scheme, they want to legalise cannabis, and they want to improve the care system - an industry filled with young workers. Teo empathised with young people who feel a lack of belonging to any party yet explained that young people must get involved, ‘the thing about politics is it is so easy to complain, it is almost British culture to complain’.
Teo went on to emphasise his agenda for action: ‘If you want something you have to push for it, it is not a system that necessarily rewards you for something because you exist.’
When asked what they might say to critics who say that the Liberal Democrats sit on the fence, Taylor and Teo had a refreshing response. They explained the merits of being in the middle, highlighting their party’s ability to work with polarised sides. Again, a reinforcement of their ever-present focus on inclusion of differing ideas in discussion. Bristol Young Liberals seem to view the ability to compromise as the critical solution to divisive setbacks in policy making.
‘Liberalism is conversation, liberalism is being able to go sit around the table and respectfully disagree on a lot of issues.’
I then asked the pair what they thought about the divisive political landscape we lived in, and whether they thought the Liberal Democrats perhaps play it a bit safe in today’s political world.
Whilst accepting radical change was needed, they explained that ‘radical change doesn’t necessarily have to be the disintegration of everything’. They emphasised their party’s focus on local communities, explaining the local relationships their party’s MPS have nurtured are a focus of their party. Taylor highlighted that real change is being enacted in their constituencies over prioritising radical ideological rhetoric.
The topic of media coverage arose in this part of the conversation. They disagreed on the merits of Ed Davey’s attempts to sensationalise himself in the media. However, both emphasised there is at least substance to his antics; each stunt being connected to an issue in today’s society that the Liberal Democrats want to improve. Teo then vocalised his want for more accountability from media companies when it comes to political representation. But again, they highlighted that in a world of divisive politics the liberal democrats are about tangible change in local communities over media frenzied arguments.
My main takeaway from my time with Bristol University’s Liberal Democrats was their call to action. A passionate pair; their call to get involved is genuinely inspiring. They have many upcoming events to get involved with. So, if you’re at all interested in politics, the Bristol University Liberal Democrats might be a good port of call. With vast opportunity for political experience and inclusion of differing mindsets, it seems like a pretty safe bet for all those politically minded. Or if not for their political policies, there is always their party mascot: Ivy.
Featured Image: @uoblibdems
Would you get involved in a political society at the University of Bristol?
