Showcasing Liberalism to the World

There was a record turnout of London’s diplomatic corps at the Liberal International British Group’s (LIBG) annual reception at the National Liberal Club this evening. David Lloyd George, after whom the function room is named, must have been smiling among the cherubs. From the doyen of the corps, Ambassador Khaled Al Duwaisan of Kuwait, and the current Ambassador of the EU Presidency, Iztok Mirosic of Slovenia, from across the world and down through the ranks, the Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Counsellors and others were able to forget protocol for a while and have heart-to-heart discussions with (Lord) David Steel (former LI President), Charles Kennedy (current LI Vice-President), a spicy variety of MPs and a positive legion from the House of Lords — the MPs hot-foot from a vote on Post Offices. Well, LibDems do tend to have one foot in the world and the other in the local community.

Malcolm Bruce, MP, President of LIBG and Chairman of the Select Committee on International Development, gave a welcome address, followed by a short presentation the new boy on the foreign affairs block, Ed Davey, MP, LibDem Shadow Foreign Secretary, who underlined the party’s international and European credentials. From the number of visiting cards passing between hands, it was evident that this evening’s gathering was not the end of the affair, but a beginning for fostering Liberal relations with a comprehensive range of countries from around the globe.

www.libg.org.uk