Why we need the Liberals in British politics – and by their proper name | Timothy Garton Ash

The Lib Dems are being smothered in Cameron's skillful embrace. They must explain exactly who and what they are

The Liberal Democrats should change their name to the Liberals. Here's why. First of all, Liberal Democrats is a pretty meaningless name. That's liberal democrats as opposed to illiberal democrats, is it? Or as opposed to liberal anti-democrats?

Lib Dems, to which they are usually abridged, is even emptier. The name sounds like the product of an awkward compromise, which is exactly...