THE NOT-SO LIBERAL LIB-DEMS

A report in today's paper caught my eye, the case of Natalie Bird.

Ms Bird was the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Liberal - Democrats in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Before I get into the story it's worthwhile considering what being a liberal democrat means, or rather should mean:

liberal

adjective

1. willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.

2. relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.

(my under-lining)

Oxford English Dictionary

Ms Bird, an abuse survivor who supports 'safe spaces for vulnerable women' was seen in a meeting wearing a top emblazoned with the words:

Woman

noun

adult human female.

If the newspaper report is correct then the so-called liberals at Wakefield denounced her as a "far-right bigot", and "an illiberal terf", which is apparently shorthand for  a trans-exclusionary  radical female. She was promptly de-selected as a prospective candidate, suspended from the party, excluded from a meeting by that shining example of liberalism, the local party chairman Dr Peter Williams and barred from standing again for 10 years.

Such actions, if true, cast the Wakefield liberals in a very bad light indeed.

Let's look again at what being a liberal means - willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own.

 Which seems to be exactly the opposite of the Wakefield Lib Dems who had the brass-necked cheek to label Ms Bird as being illiberal - talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

 If theses reports are correct then it is the Wakefield LibDems have shown themselves by their actions to be those who are truly illiberal.

illiberal

adjective

1. opposed to liberal principles;  restricting freedom of thought or behaviour, intolerant, narrow-minded, unenlightened, puritanical

 Oxford English Dictionary

Ms Bird is suing for compensation and the so-called Wakefield Liberals and the LibDem president Mr Mark Park have admitted liability, it remains to be seen what this crass illiberal action by these intolerant, narrow-minded, unenlightened people will cost them., but whatever it is it won't be enough and of course Dr Peter Williams and the Wakefield liberals won't have the decency to apologise to Ms Bird and resign.