Best of the Spectator Coffee House Shots: what's the point of the Lib Dems?
Jan 17, 2026
Calum Miller, a Member of Parliament and Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson, joins Annabel Denham, a Senior political commentator at The Daily Telegraph. They dive into the identity crisis of the Liberal Democrats, questioning their relevance and stance on key issues like Brexit. Miller defends the party’s foreign policy and local agenda, emphasizing civil liberties and social responsibility. Denham challenges the party's need for clear, strong policies while both discuss the balance between individual rights and community welfare in modern liberalism.
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Positioning Through Principle
- The Lib Dems position themselves on principles like international law and civil liberties rather than opportunistic differentiation.
- Calum Miller argues that holding these principles distinguishes them as others shift away from consensus.
Localism Plus Policy Ideas
- The Lib Dems blend localism with broader policy ideas on markets, social care and prevention.
- Miller says local trust-building complements national proposals rather than replacing them.
Small Wins, Strategic Influence
- Miller points to concrete parliamentary wins like carers' allowance increases and planning guidance for solar panels.
- He argues these show the Lib Dems use available instruments to influence government despite being in opposition.
