Beveridge Group
Encyclopedia
The Beveridge Group is a centre-left group within the Liberal Democrat
party in the UK. It was set up in 2001 by MPs
Alistair Carmichael
, Paul Holmes
, John Barrett and John Pugh
to promote debate within the party regarding public service provision.
The group was set up largely in response to a perceived rightwards drift in Liberal Democrat thinking, typified by the economic liberalism
of Lib Dem economic spokesman Vince Cable and former Home Affairs spokesman Mark Oaten
.
In its first article, the group questioned the claim in the Liberal Democrat policy paper Setting Business Free that the party should "start with a bias in favour of market solutions”:
"Should the party of Beveridge
and Keynes
approach issues with a prejudice in favour of the free market system? Should we enter every policy debate with an underlying belief that private is always better than public? I certainly do not think so. That was the approach which led the Conservatives to undertake the disastrous privatisation of British Rail
in the mid 1990s." (Alistair Carmichael, 2003)
The role of the Beveridge Group has been brought into focus with the rise of Nick Clegg
, another leading market liberal and Orange Book contributor, to the leadership of the party in 2007, and moreso after his decision to lead the Liberal Democrats into a Coalition government with the Conservatives
following the hung parliament result in the May 2010 general election. It has been noted that along with Clegg (now serving as Deputy Prime Minister) MPs who contributed to the Orange Book or are otherwise associated with the market liberal faction have occupied many positions in the Coalition Cabinet, including Vince Cable (Business Secretary), David Laws
(briefly Chief Secretary to the Treasury
), Danny Alexander
(Chief Secretary to the Treasury
), with others such as Ed Davey and Steve Webb
in more junior ministerial posts, while it has been speculated that the more socially liberal Beveridge Group members are underrepresented in the Cabinet, perhaps signalling "takeover" of the Liberal Democrats by the so-called "Orange Bookers" that made a coalition with the Conservative Party more likely http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/05/how-the-orange-bookers-took-over-the-lib-dems/. Out of the five Liberal Democrats in the main Cabinet, (Chris Huhne
(Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
) is both a member of the Beveridge Group and a contributor to the Orange Book. However, Group members Norman Baker
and Alistair Carmichael each hold ministerial ranks in the government, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport and Chief Deputy Whip for the Liberal Democrats in the government respectively, with Mark Hunter
assigned as an Assistant Whip. Furthermore, in 2010 Group members Simon Hughes
and Tim Farron
were elected Deputy Party Leader and Party President, respectively.
Sitting MPs (23)
Former MPs (7)
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
party in the UK. It was set up in 2001 by MPs
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Alistair Carmichael
Alistair Carmichael
Alexander Morrison "Alistair" Carmichael is a Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Orkney and Shetland since the 2001 general election.-Early life:...
, Paul Holmes
Paul Holmes (politician)
Paul Robert Holmes is a politician in the United Kingdom. He was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, previously held by Tony Benn, from 2001 to 2010.-Early life:...
, John Barrett and John Pugh
John Pugh
John David Pugh is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament for Southport...
to promote debate within the party regarding public service provision.
The group was set up largely in response to a perceived rightwards drift in Liberal Democrat thinking, typified by the economic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
of Lib Dem economic spokesman Vince Cable and former Home Affairs spokesman Mark Oaten
Mark Oaten
Mark Oaten is a former British Liberal Democrat politician. He served as the Member of Parliament for Winchester from 1997 to 2010, and was his party's Home Affairs spokesperson from 2003 to 2006...
.
In its first article, the group questioned the claim in the Liberal Democrat policy paper Setting Business Free that the party should "start with a bias in favour of market solutions”:
"Should the party of Beveridge
William Beveridge
William Henry Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge KCB was a British economist and social reformer. He is best known for his 1942 report Social Insurance and Allied Services which served as the basis for the post-World War II welfare state put in place by the Labour government elected in 1945.Lord...
and Keynes
John Maynard Keynes
John Maynard Keynes, Baron Keynes of Tilton, CB FBA , was a British economist whose ideas have profoundly affected the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics, as well as the economic policies of governments...
approach issues with a prejudice in favour of the free market system? Should we enter every policy debate with an underlying belief that private is always better than public? I certainly do not think so. That was the approach which led the Conservatives to undertake the disastrous privatisation of British Rail
Privatisation of British Rail
The privatisation of British Rail was set in motion when the Conservative government enacted, on 19 January 1993, the British Coal and British Rail Act 1993 . This enabled the relevant Secretary of State to issue directions to the relevant Board...
in the mid 1990s." (Alistair Carmichael, 2003)
The role of the Beveridge Group has been brought into focus with the rise of Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister...
, another leading market liberal and Orange Book contributor, to the leadership of the party in 2007, and moreso after his decision to lead the Liberal Democrats into a Coalition government with the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
following the hung parliament result in the May 2010 general election. It has been noted that along with Clegg (now serving as Deputy Prime Minister) MPs who contributed to the Orange Book or are otherwise associated with the market liberal faction have occupied many positions in the Coalition Cabinet, including Vince Cable (Business Secretary), David Laws
David Laws
David Anthony Laws is a British politician. He is Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Yeovil and former Chief Secretary to the Treasury....
(briefly Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the third most senior ministerial position in HM Treasury, after the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer . In recent years, the office holder has usually been given a junior position in the British Cabinet...
), Danny Alexander
Danny Alexander
Daniel Grian Alexander is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been Chief Secretary to the Treasury since 2010. He has been the Member of Parliament for the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey constituency since 2005....
(Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the third most senior ministerial position in HM Treasury, after the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer . In recent years, the office holder has usually been given a junior position in the British Cabinet...
), with others such as Ed Davey and Steve Webb
Steve Webb
Steven John Webb, better known as Steve Webb , is an English Liberal Democrat politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Thornbury & Yate and the Minister of State for Pensions.-Background:...
in more junior ministerial posts, while it has been speculated that the more socially liberal Beveridge Group members are underrepresented in the Cabinet, perhaps signalling "takeover" of the Liberal Democrats by the so-called "Orange Bookers" that made a coalition with the Conservative Party more likely http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/05/how-the-orange-bookers-took-over-the-lib-dems/. Out of the five Liberal Democrats in the main Cabinet, (Chris Huhne
Chris Huhne
Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne, generally known as Chris Huhne is a British politician and cabinet minister, who is the current Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire...
(Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change is a British government cabinet position currently held by Chris Huhne. The government department was created on 3 October 2008 when former Prime Minister Gordon Brown reshuffled his cabinet....
) is both a member of the Beveridge Group and a contributor to the Orange Book. However, Group members Norman Baker
Norman Baker
Norman John Baker is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Lewes in East Sussex since 1997. Since May 2010 he has been Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department for Transport....
and Alistair Carmichael each hold ministerial ranks in the government, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport and Chief Deputy Whip for the Liberal Democrats in the government respectively, with Mark Hunter
Mark Hunter
Mark Hunter may refer to:* Mark Hunter , former Australian rules footballer with Footscray* Mark Hunter , retired NHL ice hockey player and London Knights GM...
assigned as an Assistant Whip. Furthermore, in 2010 Group members Simon Hughes
Simon Hughes
Simon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...
and Tim Farron
Tim Farron
Timothy James Farron is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is currently Member of Parliament for the constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale...
were elected Deputy Party Leader and Party President, respectively.
Membership
There is currently a membership of 30 MPs:Sitting MPs (23)
- Norman BakerNorman BakerNorman John Baker is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Lewes in East Sussex since 1997. Since May 2010 he has been Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department for Transport....
MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Regional and Local Transport - John Barrett MP
- Annette BrookeAnnette BrookeAnnette Lesley Brooke is a British Liberal Democrat politician. She has been the Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole since 2001.-Early life:...
MP - Alistair CarmichaelAlistair CarmichaelAlexander Morrison "Alistair" Carmichael is a Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Orkney and Shetland since the 2001 general election.-Early life:...
MP and Chief Deputy Whip - Tim FarronTim FarronTimothy James Farron is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is currently Member of Parliament for the constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale...
MP and President of the Liberal Democrats - Don Foster MP
- Andrew George MP
- Mike Hancock MP
- John HemmingJohn Hemming (politician)John Alexander Melvin Hemming is a British politician, the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley and Group Chair of the Liberal Democrats on the city council of Birmingham, England....
MP - Martin HorwoodMartin HorwoodMartin Charles Horwood is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is the Member of Parliament for the Cheltenham constituency. He is the founder and current Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples.-Early life:He was born in St. Paul’s, Cheltenham, in 1962. His parents...
MP - Simon HughesSimon HughesSimon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...
MP and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats - Chris HuhneChris HuhneChristopher Murray Paul-Huhne, generally known as Chris Huhne is a British politician and cabinet minister, who is the current Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire...
MP and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change - Mark HunterMark Hunter (politician)Mark James Hunter is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is the current Member of Parliament for Cheadle.-Education and background:...
MP and Assistant Government Whip - John LeechJohn Leech (politician)John Sampson Macfarlane Leech is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington since 2005...
MP - John PughJohn PughJohn David Pugh is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament for Southport...
MP - Dan RogersonDan RogersonDaniel John Rogerson is a Cornish Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for North Cornwall since the 2005 General election.-Early life:...
MP - Paul RowenPaul RowenPaul John Rowen is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Rochdale from 2005 until the 2010 general election, when he was defeated by Labour Party candidate Simon Danczuk.-Early life and career:...
former MP - Bob Russell MP
- Adrian SandersAdrian SandersAdrian Mark Sanders is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is the Member of Parliament for Torbay in Devon.-Personal life:...
MP - Mark WilliamsMark Williams (politician)Mark Fraser Williams is a British Welsh Liberal Democrat politician and the Member of Parliament for the Ceredigion constituency, a seat he gained from Plaid Cymru in 2005...
MP - Roger WilliamsRoger Williams (UK politician)Roger Hugh Williams is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire since the 2001 general election.-Early life:...
MP - Stephen WilliamsStephen Williams (politician)Stephen Roy Williams is a British Liberal Democrat politician who was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Bristol West in the 2005 general election, being re-elected with an increased majority in May 2010...
MP - Jenny WillottJenny WillottJennifer Nancy Willott is a British politician and the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Cardiff Central since the 2005 general election. She is the first woman and the first Liberal Democrat to represent her seat....
MP
Former MPs (7)
- Sandra GidleySandra GidleySandra Julia Gidley is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. She was the Member of Parliament for Romsey in Hampshire from 2000 to 2010, when she lost her seat to Conservative MP Caroline Nokes.-Biography:...
former MP - Paul HolmesPaul Holmes (politician)Paul Robert Holmes is a politician in the United Kingdom. He was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, previously held by Tony Benn, from 2001 to 2010.-Early life:...
former MP - David HowarthDavid HowarthDavid Ross Howarth is a British Liberal Democrat politician who was Member of Parliament for Cambridge from 2005 to 2010.- Education and academic career :...
former MP - Paul KeetchPaul KeetchPaul Stuart Keetch is an English Liberal Democrat politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Hereford from 1997 to 2010.-Early life:...
former MP - Paul RowenPaul RowenPaul John Rowen is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Rochdale from 2005 until the 2010 general election, when he was defeated by Labour Party candidate Simon Danczuk.-Early life and career:...
former MP - Phil WillisPhil WillisGeorge Philip Willis, Baron Willis of Knaresborough is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, and was Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough from 1997 until retiring at the 2010 general election...
former MP - Richard Younger-RossRichard Younger-RossRichard Alan Younger-Ross is a politician in England. He was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Teignbridge from 2001 to 2010, having contested the seat in 1992 and 1997, finally winning in the 2001 election...
former MP
See also
- William BeveridgeWilliam BeveridgeWilliam Henry Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge KCB was a British economist and social reformer. He is best known for his 1942 report Social Insurance and Allied Services which served as the basis for the post-World War II welfare state put in place by the Labour government elected in 1945.Lord...
- John Maynard KeynesJohn Maynard KeynesJohn Maynard Keynes, Baron Keynes of Tilton, CB FBA , was a British economist whose ideas have profoundly affected the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics, as well as the economic policies of governments...
- Social liberalismSocial liberalismSocial liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
- Welfare stateWelfare stateA welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
- SDPSocial Democratic Party (UK)The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...