Liberal democracy is one of Britain's greatest traditions
It says power should only exist through consent and society should ensure that everyone has equal opportunity.
That belief has never been more important in the times we now find ourselves.
Authoritarian regimes in Russia, China, Turkey and others are in charge of many of the world's most powerful countries. An explosion of populism in the UK, US and Europe has given more power to fewer people with fewer safeguards. And at the local level, councils continue to make opaque decisions that are often in their, rather than residents', interests.
Liberal Democrats work against those drives and for a more equitable and fair society.