Meeting the Challenge’? The Liberal Democrats' Policy Review of 2005–2006

Even before the 2005 election, the Liberal Democrats’ Federal Policy Committee had agreed on the need for a review of party policy, in response both to domestic and international political developments since 2001. Intended to build upon the 2002 policy document ‘It's About Freedom’, 2005 heralded the launch of a Meeting the Challenge policy review, which provided an unprecedented opportunity for party members at all levels to contribute towards the refinement of Liberal Democrat policies and develop a clearer political narrative. This would enable the party to articulate its principles and goals more effectively in the run‐up to the next general election. Through a variety of intra‐party channels, conduits and forums, hundreds of responses from party members, and local and regional Liberal Democrat parties, offered analyses and policy suggestions. On various issues, these revealed ongoing debates between the party's ( Orange Book ) ‘liberals’ and ‘social democrats’. The outcome of this intra‐party consultation exercise was the 2006 policy document ‘Trust in People’, which was emphatically endorsed at the party's annual conference. This will now provide the framework for further policy development and clarification during the next two years

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