Kirsty Williams is Leader

The vision to succeed!

Kirsty’s vision to succeed is based on one simple and firmly held desire – shared by all Welsh Liberal Democrat members and supporters in Wales – that of wishing to see Welsh Lib Dem policies implemented, for a more prosperous and greener country which has freedom and social justice as the basis of its economy culture and society.

But in order to achieve this, Kirsty believes equally firmly that our Party must change. It must grow its membership, it must become more professional, it must raise its media profile, and above all it must develop policies which are founded on the unique and distinctive values of our Party, but which also have a real meaning for people in their everyday lives and within their local communities.

Kirsty wants to see our Party ‘raising the bar’ in Wales on what we seek to achieve. We must be more ambitious – for ourselves as a Party and for our country.

Change to win

Kirsty says:

‘I want to see the Welsh Liberal Democrat Party returning to its zeal and commitment as a radical and reforming Party. We are superb at local campaigning – you only have to look at our recent successes in local government to see that. But now we must also become a Party which is able to speak for Wales as a reforming party. We must be bold in joining our colleagues in England and Scotland and making the case for a new settlement for the United Kingdom. For too long now, our voice as a Welsh party has been muted on this, as if we have seen this as an issue for the Party in England and Scotland.

‘In the same way, we can and must have things to say in the area of freedom and civil liberties. This will become more important as Wales gains legislative powers, but it is right in itself that we defend hard won liberties in the light of their erosion under successive Labour and Tory Governments. This is an absolutely core value for us, and to neglect it is to undersell ourselves. If we don’t speak up on this, no one else will. This requires courage and bravery, and being prepared to reach out to allies in other parties and those organisations who have flown the flag for civil liberties over many years, such as Liberty and Charter 88.

‘We must be brave and innovative too in the area of social justice. Our values here lead us inevitably to argue for opportunities for all and for the protection of, and support for, those most in need. But what marks us out from other parties is our commitment to giving power to individuals and communities, rather than claiming that the state can solve all problems. Again, we need to demarcate ourselves in what at times seems like a crowded political territory in Wales.

‘In an age of cynicism and disengagement from party politics, we must reach out well beyond the Cardiff Bay ‘bubble’ and the political establishment here in Wales. Our aim must be to be in government – working with whoever we can to make common cause with – but it must be on our terms, based on core liberal democratic values, and from a position of strength.

‘Politics isn’t about backroom deals and the same old meetings with the same old people. That’s not change. That’s not how we’re going to make government and the Assembly more relevant to ordinary people. Change must come to the Assembly; it won’t come from the Assembly. We can’t allow politics to be about the Cardiff Bay bubble.

‘We need politicians to get out of that bubble and realise that most people don’t care about the mechanics of LCOs and Measures – but they do care about the issues that lie behind them. We must talk in the language of our fellow citizens, not the language of politicians, pressure groups and lobbyists. Politicians can deliver real change for the people of Wales, but only if they listen to what really matters to them. Wales could and should be punching above its weight. I want a proper parliament for Wales, with the power to allow people to have far more control over their own lives.

‘This approach also requires courage and risk-taking. At the time of the first Assembly elections we reached out to individuals and organisation outside of our Party in drawing up our policies. I want to see us to that again. The nature of political organisations in twenty-first century western democracies is that many ideas and movements exist outside of orthodox party politics. Many share our values and our principles, but do not always wish to join us. Let’s reach out to them, and work with them.

New generations

‘With Tavish Scott in Scotland and Nick Clegg in London the whole Party is embracing change, embracing a new generation of leadership and ushering in the start of a new era. We need that change here in Wales too. We need a fresh start and a leader for the long term. We must look beyond the next General Election, beyond the next Assembly Election, and make sure we’re ready for the challenges ahead.

‘And in Wales, the leadership of the other three parties will almost certainly pass to a new generation in the next two or three years – it may well come even sooner than this. We need to think ahead to who is best able to take on, and be part of, this new generation of leaders. I am a long term choice for leader of our Party and believe me, I am in it for the long haul.

A passion for people

‘Anyone who’s heard me speak will know I’m a real conviction politician. My passion for social justice is rooted in the Blaen-y-maes of my childhood, and has only grown stronger since becoming a parent myself. I’m proud of my country, and believe Government can help everyone achieve their aspirations.

‘I’m a Welsh Liberal Democrat to my core – I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I really believe we’re the party that could deliver the brightest future for everyone in Wales. And I believe there’re plenty of people in Wales who’d believe that too – we just have to reach them. I like nothing better than being out on the doorstep, talking to people, telling them about us, listening to their concerns. The only boundaries to success are the ones we place on ourselves.

Raising the bar!

‘I believe we can and should be optimistic about our party’s future. Yes, the fine electoral prospects of Swansea West and Newport East, but so much more than that - there are no ‘no-go’ areas for me. I want to take the liberal democrat message to ALL parts of Wales. And we should expect more of ourselves; be more professional, and have the confidence and vision to speak for Wales as a national party, not just as a Cardiff-based organisation or a collection of local parties.

‘I am optimistic – very optimistic - about our future, and the future of Wales. It is a future for us to make and shape. The future is ours – if we grasp it!’