We held a consultation session on Meeting the Challenge in Portcullis House on 28 November 2005. It was attended by about 20 members, including 4 MPs. We also received 13 written responses to feed into the discussion.

We discussed the questions suggested, on UK and Political Challenges, Freedom, Fairness and Localism, and Internationalism, Sustainability and Prosperity, but the responses also threw up a number of issues that were not covered by these questions.

LDCF is not a policy-forming body, but what follows is a summary of the main themes that arose from this process, on some fundamental principles that chime in with both Liberal Democrat and Christian philosophies.

Sustainability

The Liberal Democrats have a reputation as the 'greenest' of the main parties, but as the effects of climate change will become more evident in the next decade and beyond, we must ask whether we are going far enough.

If we are to make a real difference, then we do need to be bolder in issues such as cheap air travel, increasing congestion on the roads. We must take a long term view. We are stewards of this planet, looking after it for future generations. Perhaps Liberal Democrats should take the lead in 'responsible travel', realising that we cannot simply take a cheap flight or a single-person car journey whenever we want. How do we reconcile being a party of freedom and of the environment? Very tough to be honest and sell this difficult message

Sustainability, climate change and environmental issues are also an area on which much of the church community is also passionate. The Liberal Democrats are in a strong position to appeal to this community on this issue, and to set up a dialogue on sustainability issues.

We should look to the example set by the trade justice campaign, where the churches as individuals and as a community played a large part in tipping MPs, and hence the Government, into a far more proactive stance on trade justice. This is an issue that runs counter to the agenda of materialism, of profit and of short-term gain. The church community is often more willing to defer immediate fulfilment for a longer term vision, and churches are in a good position to act as triggers, empowering individuals to act, both through lobbying and campaigning, and in their own lifestyles. This also chimes in with the 'freedom' issue (4.2.6 of consultation paper), of engaging citizens more with public life, and with 'localism' (4.4.2), and the Liberal Democrat belief in the value of communities working together.

Prosperity

The consultation paper speaks of economic prosperity, taxation and productivity. However it is also important to consider the fact that, despite the increasing material prosperity of our society, levels of depression and mental health problems are also increasing. We suggest that the party ought to look at the issue of 'emotional prosperity' alongside that of economic prosperity.

This includes areas where government can encourage people to build strong relationships, for example through policies such as a shared day off for members of a family each week, to balance the atypical and long hours culture of the 24/7 society. It also means tackling the rising tide of personal debt, which has now broken through the 1 trillion pounds mark, and which effectively enslaves people to loan companies. Government needs to cultivate people's talents, as those who are fulfilled and prosperous emotionally tend to be more productive in their work places and in society.

Family

We need to focus real resources on the next generation of adults today's children and young people, who are the future of our country and our planet. This issue does not slot easily into any of the headings suggested in the consultation paper, but crosses them all.

Our 24/7 culture of increasing individualism and consumerism is putting families under increasing pressure, and many children are being brought up with floundering home lives. The Liberal Democrats have reacted against attempts by previous governments to tackle some of these issues, such as 'back to basics', by saying nothing. If we were in Government today, would we maintain that what happens to our children is a private matter that has nothing to do with us? Or should we find a non-stigmatising, inclusive language to talk about supporting families and children to be strong and healthy members of society? We should not necessarily prioritise the nuclear family, families may take different forms. We should also look increasingly at the role and value of the extended family, whose benefits are seen in the strong support networks built up in many ethnic minority communities.

Evidence shows that the impact of strong and stable families affects many areas of society, children with a secure background do better in school; have higher aspirations; are less likely to offend or turn to crime; and are less likely to suffer mental health problems. The current Government has shied away from tackling this issue head-on. There is a real opportunity for the Liberal Democrats to take a distinctive stance, to state that it can be illiberal not to get involved when children are suffering real harm, and to propose policies that tackle prevention rather than cure.

Faith

This issue covers the areas of localism, freedom and internationalism.

The media tends to hold the view that religion is a purely private matter. However, many people of faith have an enhanced sense of their responsibilities (their duties to one another and to society) and because of this, many instinctively reach out into the public sphere. Faith groups tend to get involved in voluntary groups and projects within their local communities, carrying out many roles that central and even local government are unable to fulfil, and reducing dependence on the state. Government is often suspicious of this as a perceived assault on a 'secular public sphere', but this risks demeaning people of all faiths. We believe that it should instead recognise and encourage this involvement.

Freedom of belief is a key tenet of liberalism. The Liberal Democrats have a distinctive stance on civil liberties, and we need to find the courage and the will both to defend the liberties of the citizen and to defend against terrorism and injustice. We need to be bolder in tackling human rights abuses across the world, and recognise those fleeing from religious persecution, sometimes from within EU countries as well as outside them.

LDCF feels that we should be leading the way in developing good multi-faith relations. People of faith understand other people of faith, and are not offended by their expression of faith. For example, Muslims are not calling for Christmas to be renamed 'winterval', this is a call from secular sections of the community, fearing that offence may be taken by other faiths. A multi-cultural, multi-faith society does not have to reduce its beliefs to the lowest common denominator where no-one publicly says anything about their faith in case they might offend another faith group. We believe that the Liberal Democrats should be comfortable with people of all faiths having the freedom to express their faith in the public sphere.