There are many reasons people join the Lib Dems. Single issues such as the Iraq war and Brexit historically swelled membership, others join because of a deeper philosophical commitment to liberal values. One thing is certain, nobody joins the Lib Dems for a career in politics - whenever you meet a Lib Dem it is pretty certain that they are not in it for any other reason than trying to make a positive difference.
My own journey was somewhat haphazard. I had always been interested in politics, to me politics is always about values in action and although many decisions our politicians, what ever party, make are not contentious there are always a few totem issues that seem to divide us. Often because they offend some aspect of our core values and strike us as simply unfair or ‘not right’. These totem issues have always fascinated me and at times I have sided with the Conservatives over issues and at others the Labour Party.
It was on 12 May 2010 that I decided to join the Lib Dems, that was the day the coalition agreement was announced. I was inspired by a new style of politics - non-partisan, collaborative, isolating the extremes of both main parties. With hindsight I joined at the high point of the Lib Dem support, since then the party was decimated at the 2015 general election and has struggled to recover and find an identify ever since.
So why am I still a member? If anything my commitment has increased over the last 10 years. As both the main parties lurched off to the extremes, particularly after 2015, it has strengthened my view that a distinctive liberal voice is needed in British politics, both locally and nationally.
So what is this liberal voice? It can be difficult for many voters to distinguish what liberal actually means. Our electoral system tends to towards two large parties and much of what centrists in both parties espouse is essentially liberal, although as both parties become more extreme they are becoming less liberal. If you talk to many Lib Dem members about describing the liberal view point they will refer to the preamble to the party’s constitution;
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives.

What is not said is how this compares to either the Labour or Conservative vision. This is not the place to detail differences but perhaps a few pointers may help. Compared to conservatives liberals are sceptical of privilege and tradition. Liberals share with Conservatives a belief in the power of markets, but differ in that they believe markets should be subservient to us all, not the other way around. Compared to the Labour tradition liberals are sceptical of the power of the state to deliver, understanding that although it can do good it often fails too. Labour as a party often looks at things through the prism of class. Liberals always start with the individual.
It is for all these reasons, and more, that I am liberal.