What uk party mostly fits my left wing libertarian beliefs?
Why do you need to belong to a party? I’ve been a left wing political activist for more years than I care to remember. Since about 1979 I have been non-party but involved in trade union politics and numerous political campaigns. Part of being a libertarian is being able to think for yourself. Apart from anything else I cannot abide the negative sectarianism of many on the left. If the left is to become real force in C21st politics it has got to get out of the sectarian green house and blossom in the real world. See also: http://en.wikipedia.
Sounds like you could join the Green Party (source 1) but they are a very mixed bunch, as they don’t operate according to democratic centralism (i.e. debate policy internally but stick to agreed policy in public) but leave individual branches to sort out local policies – also they have an electoral, coalitionist view of politics, meaning that they will tend to sell voters out to get a deal with larger parties. (see source 2) You could also consider the Socialist Party or the Campaign for a New Workers’ Party, if the socialist party are too left wing for you. (see sources 3,4) I wouldn’t join Respect or the SWP, Arthur Scargill’s SLP or any of the Communist parties [CPB, CPGB, CPGB(ML)] – none of them are very democratic and the SLP and Communists are Stalinists. Respect in particular is in a mess, due to infighting. In Scotland you could join the SSP or Solidarity. The Liberal Democrats are not left wing in the slightest, and have recently shifted to the right. Edit: I forgot another g
