The beginning of another year arrives, so what do I do with it?

After more than a decade of being deeply engaged with all things Liberal Democrat, I find myself entering a new year with surprisingly little responsibility. Term limits meant that my time as a member of the ALDE Party’s Financial Advisory Committee came to an end in October after eight satisfying years, and I lost my place on Federal International Relations Committee which, given how surprised I was to have been elected to it in the first place, came as no great shock. At least I lost to some good people...

What this means is that I only hold one formal role as a Liberal Democrat, that of the East of England member of the Appeals Board for England which, whilst not something which takes up a lot of my time, is quite onerous when my services are required. I do have three Returning Officer jobs to deliver in the New Year, but they shouldn’t detain me for too long, and there is my day editorship of Liberal Democrat Voice, which, if I let it, could expand to fill the time newly available to me.

There is a danger, therefore, that I rush headlong into some new role. And that would probably be a mistake, as there are things in the rest of my life which possibly merit more attention.

I could make some New Year resolutions, but why make commitments out of a sense of duty when it would be better to make changes because they would improve my life and that of those close to me. Besides, change should be organic rather than regimented.

So, I think that I’ll leave 2020 uncommitted for the time being. There’s much to look forward to, and much that would be better avoided.

@ALDEParty Congress - the policy debates (1)

This year, I've decided to write my review of the ALDE Party Congress in sections, given my decision to publish it here rather than at Liberal Democrat Voice - I can write at greater length and cover more ground. Having set the scene yesterday, I start with a summary of some of the policy resolutions up for discussion...

Economics

Reclaiming Liberalism: a liberal response to digitalisation

This rather lengthy resolution springs from a seminar held earlier in the year and can be broken up into six elements;

• maximising the potential of digitalisation - creating effective regulatory environments, promoting a competitively priced, fast and open internet and fostering a business environment that supports innovative new industries
• digitalisation of the public sector - modernising the delivery of services
• trust and security - making the internet a place where privacy is protected and security services covered by proper oversight 
• copyright - a cross-border harmonised system which "balances the inherent value and appreciation of creative and artistic content with consumers rights in the digital age"
• digital literacy, skills and inclusion - an inclusive digital economy in which citizens and businesses have the necessary skills and can benefit from e-government services
• digital single market - calls for further deepening of the Single Market

Controversy factor?: € (out of five) - hard to see who would object to this

Reclaiming Liberalism: shaping a modern liberal policy for economic justice

Another lengthy motion, unsurprisingly, and again stemming from the series of seminars held earlier in the year, this is made up of four elements;

• defining principles of economic justice and equality - the push for open markets, less state bureaucracy and fair global rules, the provision of social safety nets and more investment in research and development, education and projects that create jobs
• advancing global growth and prosperity - reforming international trade, concluding TTIP and completing the Single Market
• liberal perspectives on debt policies - measures to tackle tax evasion, tax fraud, tax havens, corruption and money laundering, a common policy for fiscal prudence across Europe
• the future of the European economic and financial systems and bailouts - a common resolution mechanism for dealing with insolvent banks, an insolvency mechanism for countries and more "favourable" insolvency rules and financial and taxation frameworks

Controversy factor?: €€€ - TTIP might be popular in liberal circles, but isn't without challenge.

Creating a competitive labour market for the Twenty-first Century

Courtesy of ANO (Czech Republic), and Venstre (Denmark), this resolution calls for action on a range of aspects. The focus is on the role of Member States, rather than on European Commission inspired activity, perhaps reflecting a slight skepticism of 'big Europe'.

Controversy factor?: € - surprisingly acceptable perhaps, given that the movers are more economic liberals than social ones.

Sustainable use of maritime resources

Another Venstre resolution, this time supported by Svenska Folkpartiet of Finland, it calls for seals to be recognised as a maritime resource to be used in a sustainable manner. Does this mean that they can be killed for food?

Controversy factor?: €€€€€  - killing seals? I really don't think so.

Policies on the development of European bio- and circular economies

Keskusta (Finland) are in favour of open and fair markets, investment in blue bioeconomy (aquaculture, fishing and tourism) possibilities and clean drinking water.

Controversy factor?: € - Finns in favour of the environment. Who would have guessed?

Towards a truly global fight against tax heavens - proposal for an inclusive UN body to combat global tax evasion

The spelling error aside (it did entertain me...), this resolution from Radikale Venstre of Denmark calls for exactly what it says on the tin.

Controversy factor?: €€€ - the United Nations? Really? Nobody is likely to be that bothered though.

For a comprehensive TTIP agreement

The economic liberals of the FDP (Germany), VVD (Netherlands) and Venstre (Denmark), as well as LYMEC (European Liberal Youth), have come together to call for a rapid conclusion of the TTIP agreement.

Controversy factor?: €€€ - see above.

Next time, I'll look at the various Foreign Affairs resolutions...