No Liberal Democrat leader should be allowed to neglect the European dimension of the party. Europe has for long been our brand. The public knows that when national politicians claim to be able to swing the earth on its axis, they are fools or knaves. The challenge of globalisation, in particular, reduces the relevance of the state and traditional nationhood to people’s lives. The European Union is our best response globalisation. To be relevant, the Lib Dems have to be able to influence the direction the EU takes.

The party should offer political choice over the decisions taken by the European Parliament and Council. We should contribute to the EU’s present period of reflection intended to find a way out of the constitutional crisis. We should reinvigorate the case for joining the euro to ensure long-term stability, to encourage higher investment and to underpin the European social market economy. Our foreign and defence policies should be cast within the context of a united European effort. Being bolder and more incisive about Britain’s European policy will be increasingly a factor in the party’s overall success.

Is Europe worth a mass? In order to ingratiate itself with Big Brother China, it is seeking to arm it with advanced weaponry,uncaring that Taiwan would be the beneficiary. ELDR will need to be quite specific in naming names, as Burma,and in taking action, while again, being prepared to intervene militarily, wherever necessary, without ducking behind totally inadequate AU or UN 'action'. If France's envy of the US prevents it joining action, let's go ahead without its hindrance and undoubted resulting isolation.
We don't just need our vaunted 'Diplomatic' skills, dealing with Iran - a pathetic joke.
If people in the hotspots of Asia, the Middle and Far East do matter,they will require a vociferous and persistent champion,a position that should automatically be filled by one of specific liberal conviction.