Alliance for Liberal and Libertarian Development of Southend

### Ideology

classical liberalism; right libertarianism; economic liberalism; cultural liberalism

### Seats in Local Councils

37/886

**Alliance for Liberal and Libertarian Development of Southend** (or ALLDS) - is a center-right political party in Southend that promotes classical liberal and libertarian political outlook. Party split from a bigger liberal party Liberals of Southend in 2007, mainly because of dissatisfaction that several classical liberal politicians felt of agenda that was promoted by the Liberals of Southend. Currently party has a around 2700 registered members.

Until 2014 ALLDS was relatively electorally unsuccessful, however, ALLDS significantly improved its electoral record after it joined forces with Liberals of Southend and Independents to form electoral alliance called Liberal Alliance. In 2020 parliamentary election alliance managed to secure 83 seats in National Assembly, thus forming second biggest political group.

After 2021 party congress elected new board, party is led by former head of Southend Students Association Edward Watson.

## Ideology

Compared to a bigger liberal party Liberals of Southend, from whom ALLDS split in 2007, ALLDS and its membership tend to hold much more radical outlook on liberalism. Generally, ALLDS is opposed to state intervention in economy and social sphere unless there is justified need to protect freedoms of individuals. Minority of members of ALLDS hold views that are closer to anarcho-capitalism and are opposed to the idea of state entirely, however, majority of members are not opposed to state when it comes to protecting individual freedoms.

## Policies

**Economy**

* Abolition of progressive income tax, introduction of flat income tax, lowering taxation rates.
* Lowering enterprise tax to 12% in 6 years.
* Tax amnesty for minor tax offenders.
* Privatization of medical services, except for national emergency care service.
* Lower tax rates for businesses that engage in green economy by lowering their climate impact.
* Dissolution of Union Council.
* Abolition of minimum wage.
* Reduction or full abolition of state subsidies for businesses that show high margin of profitability.
* Lowering bureaucratic burdens for starting a business.
* Abolition of alcohol and tobacco taxes.

**Social**

* Legalization of soft drugs.
* Lowering requirements to obtain driver's license.
* Support for same-sex marriage.
* Opposition to censorship and 'wokism'.
* Allowing to change legal gender without any prerequisites and limits.
* Easier immigration rules, especially for acquiring work permit.

**Governance**

* 'Minimal government' and governance based on principles effectiveness.
* Lower burdens on donations to political parties.
* Strict secularism in public schools.
* Referendum on possible federalization of regional governance.
* Referendum on introduction of first-past-the-post voting system, instead of current proportional representation voting.
* Allowing regions to introduce co-official languages.

## 2021 party congress and talks of possible split

The atmosphere in the party that led towards September 2021 party congress was full of controversies as one of the proposed questions to the party congress was whether ALLDS should merge with Liberals of Southend. Libertarian side of the party objected this move before congress has even begun. On the other hand, more centrist side of the party, including then head of the ALLDS Ríoghnán Florry Ó Caoimháin, argued that remerging with Liberals of Southend would be only natural as their work in the Liberal Alliance proved to be 'fruitful' and it would be much easier to promote liberal ideals in a bigger and stronger political force.

Despite the controversies, question on whether ALLDS should move to merge with Liberals of Southend was put forward, with 64,3% of congress delegates voting in favour. Newly elected party chair Edward Watson promised to begin talks with Liberals of Southend.

The decisions that were taken by the September 2021 party congress left some members of ALLDS dissatisfied. Some experts predict, that if Liberals of Southend agree on a merge with ALLDS, many right-libertarian members of ALLDS might form their own political party, as ideological differences of this factions of ALLDS and centrist Liberals of Southend are significant.