The party membership of the Liberal Democrats has today amended the opening lines of the party’s constitution to contain an iron-clad commitment to environmentalism and protecting the planet.
The rare move, backed overwhelmingly by members, takes the party’s decades-long commitment to the environment – including nearly quadrupling renewable power usage in government – and puts it at the very start of the preamble.
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We believe that each generation is responsible for the fate of our planet and, by safeguarding the balance of nature and the environment, for the long-term continuity of life in all its forms.
New preamble to the Liberal Democrat Federal Constitution
The preamble is widely recognised as an authoritative statement of Liberal Democrat philosophy, and commentators have suggested that today’s move demonstrates how serious the party is about green politics.
“The Lib Dems and their predecessor parties have been at the forefront of environmental politics in this country for over half a century,” said one Liberal Democrat source. “This amendment shows the depth of our commitment to stopping the climate emergency and protecting our natural environment.”
The amendment also inserted wording calling for “a strong and sustainable economy” and a commitment to measure wellbeing.