Leading Liberal Democrats re-examine traditional Liberal ideas and come up with fresh - and surprising - ideas for the LibDem revival. In this stimulating collection, the next generation of Liberal Democrat leaders, including MPs and MEPs David Laws, Edward Davey, Vince Cable, Steve Webb, Chris Huhne, Nick Clegg and Mark Oaten, proposes a vigorous future for the party and its policies. Building on traditional Liberal values and principles, they bring new and often provocative thinking to every area of social policy. Topics include the rejection of 'nanny state' liberalism, a fairer tax system and promotion of social justice, the need to encourage and support stable and secure families, a tougher prisons regime and stronger local government - as well as proposals for global governance, healthcare choice and pension reform, better incentives for environmental protection, and a balanced approach to EU reform and integration. Up-to-the-minute, original, and persuasively argued, the thinking in this book demonstrates the Liberal Democrats' vitality and social commitment, and gives a valuable insight into how the party will move in the future. With a foreword by Charles Kennedy, The Orange Book is published in association with the Liberal Democrats to coincide with the 2004 party conference.
 Trade In this Item for up to £3.50
Trade in The Orange Book for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £3.50, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
About the Author
David Laws is Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and MP for Yeovil.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By BCM
Format:Paperback
The Orange Book is often cited as being a rabidly right wing and nasty text by a large number of those on the left of the political spectrum who have generally not even read the work. Whilst it did mark some form of a move towards the right in the up and coming stars of the party, it is actually far less radically out of tune with the party's tradition than is often suggested. Notably it is often forgotten that those who set up the SDP left the Labour party because it was becoming too left wing. It is also the case that the contributors of the book have exactly the same aims in mind as those on the more social liberal side of the party. Many of the pieces are actually entirely uncontroversial for most Liberal Democrat members, from Nick Clegg's pro-European but pro-Reform essay on the EU to Ed Davey's essay on localism.
However the main point is that the book itself is thoroughly worth reading due to its consistent challenging of dogma, and use of innovative solutions to long standing and burgeoning problems, such as pensions, public services and the environment. The only piece I personally viewed with much scepticism was David Laws' essay on the health service. However whilst I disagree with his overall argument, he still makes compelling points and raises issues that should certainly be thought about.
If you are a Communist, you probably won't like this book. But if you are interested in reading about interesting approaches to some of the main questions of modern British politics, that are still relevent today despite the time passed since this book was published, it is certainly worth opening this book with an open mind, regardless of your political affiliation or persuasion.
However the main point is that the book itself is thoroughly worth reading due to its consistent challenging of dogma, and use of innovative solutions to long standing and burgeoning problems, such as pensions, public services and the environment. The only piece I personally viewed with much scepticism was David Laws' essay on the health service. However whilst I disagree with his overall argument, he still makes compelling points and raises issues that should certainly be thought about.
If you are a Communist, you probably won't like this book. But if you are interested in reading about interesting approaches to some of the main questions of modern British politics, that are still relevent today despite the time passed since this book was published, it is certainly worth opening this book with an open mind, regardless of your political affiliation or persuasion.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Disagree with the substantive content or not, this book is worth reading for the insight into lib-dem thought, and for an explanation for why they seem to have gone along with so much supposedly tory inspired policy; it's very similar in ideology to what they actually think and believe in. Worth a read if you can get a cheap copy.
22 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book cuts through dogma and espouses clearly argued positions on critical issues of our time. It should be a blueprint for the Tory-Lib coalition
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Liberalism is effectively reclaimed!
Eloquently written, particularly by David Laws, Vince Cable, Nick Clegg, and Susan Kramer, liberalism is definitely captured. Read more
Published 20 months ago by @garethalteran
5.0 out of 5 stars
Liberalism in the 21st century
This book contains several essays. David Laws gives a brilliant analysis of four different aspects of Liberalism: Economic, Social, Political and . Read more
Published 22 months ago by Hobbesian
1.0 out of 5 stars
Revealing presentation of the LibDems' extreme laissez-faire...
This is a most revealing collection of essays by LibDem MPs and MEPs. Chris Huhne calls for legalising wars of intervention and for an EU `rapid reaction force'. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2010 by William Podmore
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
