Welcome . . .

The Scottish Liberal Club exists to promote Liberalism in a variety of ways. In normal times, we hold regular events such as discussion evenings and social gatherings, many of them with speakers, as well as the well-established annual dinner and lecture.

The Club is a separate organisation from the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Members who espouse Liberal ideas and values are welcome from within and outwith the Party.

Events for 2025

We have an exciting programme of events planned for the next few months!

Joint event with the John Stuart Mill Institute

Find out about the John Stuart Mill Institute here.

Friday 25^th April, 7:30pm, 4, Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR

This event features the launch of the book "When We Speak Of Freedom- Radical Liberalism in an Age of Crisis"

The book, edited by Paul Hindley and Benjamin Wood, is a collection of essays sponsored by the John Stuart Mill Institute and published by Beecroft Publications. Available from Waterstones and Foyles.

Speakers to include – Ross Finnie, Gordon Lishman, Michael Meadowcroft & Professor Ian Bradley.

The 20 chapters cover topics such as defence, land and democracy, civil liberties, immigration, constitution and housing. Distinguished writers include Sir Vince Cable, Sir Lawrence Freedman, David Howarth, Michael Meadowcroft, Helena Rosenblatt, Ross Finnie, Andrea Coomber and Helen McCabe.

Politics is deeply unpopular today and politicians are poorly regarded. Membership of parties and voting turnout are lower than ever. At the same time demagogues and nationalist leaders are achieving signiﬁcant inﬂuence. This new book of essays provides a much needed liberal perspective on current politics. Sponsored by the liberal think tank, the John Stuart Mill Institute, it brings together twenty-one writers on their particular specialist subjects. They include Ross Finnie on federalism, Sir Lawrence Freedman on defence, David Howarth on the constitution, Bob Marshall-Andrews on civil liberties, Sir Vince Cable on immigration, Andrea Coomber KC on prison reform and Gordon Lishman on community and non-conformity. In a world full of threats and uncertainties the book responds positively to many of society’s political, economic and cultural problems. Liberalism may often seem to be on the defensive, and is sometimes unheard when faced with insurgent populism and nationalist forces. Yet most of the political and economic beneﬁts that British people enjoy today are the legacy of progressive liberal ideas and initiatives implemented over the last two centuries.

Liberal values are today challenged and endangered. Ben Wood and Paul Hindley believe that a lack of a rigorous exposition of liberal philosophy and values has left the ﬁeld open to illiberal and undemocratic political trends. This book aims to ﬁll that gap.

Previously. . ..

Half Day Forum

Saturday 1^st March 2025