Liberal Democrat Policy-making: An Insider's View, 2000–2004

Little attention has been paid to the way in which political parties make policy. From the perspective of a former member of party staff, this article explains why the Liberal Democrats have adopted their current procedure, and what the strengths and weaknesses of this are. It pays particular attention to the party's working groups, which produce policy papers, and also focuses on the process for writing manifestos. The article argues that policy-making should change as the party grows in strength. Shorter conferences with more focused debate would allow delegates the same voice in deciding crucial policies that will form the basis of the next manifesto, but get rid of the fringe debates that attract ridicule in the media. It would also allow parliamentarians more freedom to respond to specific events within the very general policy framework agreed at conference.