60th Liberal International Congress

Mexico City was an inspired choice as the venue for Liberal International’s 60th Congress, not just because it culminated in the national festivities of the Day of the Dead — one of Latin America’s great folkloric celebrations — but also because this was the first such Congress in the region. Our host party, Nueva Alianza, did us proud, as did a partner organisation Caminos de la Libertad. The latter invited everyone to their annual awards ceremony, at which the former US presidential candidate Ron Paul was the main laureate. His speech helped me to understand why he is a libertarian and I am a Liberal.

Much more palatable was the keynote speech by another former US presidential hopeful, Governor Howard Dean, who is one of those rare politicians to whom one could happily listen for hours. He stressed the central importance of values in political messaging, something the Liberal Democrats could have usefully borne in mind during this year’s general election campaign. Key issues at the LI Congress were migration and populism, prompting very lively debates, which cannot possibly be summarised in a short blog item (though it will be worth keeping an eye on LI’s website for reports). There was an active fringe programme, including some unusual but stimulating topics such the impact of German reunification on Germany, Europe and the world. The former Foreign a Minister of Andorra, Juli Minoves, pictured here with Howard Dean, was re-elected President of LI and a very well deserved decoration of President of Honour was bestowed in absentia on the former LI President Lord (John) Alderdice.