Ten policies a classical liberal would like to see introduced in the UK
Reduce Government Spending and Size: A significant reduction in public expenditure to limit the scope of government. This could involve cutting wasteful programmes and focusing government on core functions like defence, justice, and basic infrastructure, allowing individuals to keep more of their income and make their own choices. Large government often leads to inefficiencies and coercion.
Lower and Simplify Taxes: A flat or simplified tax system with lower rates would minimise state interference and maximise individual economic freedom. Reducing income, corporate, and capital gains taxes to encourage entrepreneurship, investment, and wealth creation. Taxes are a form of coercion that should be minimized.
Deregulate Business and Labour Markets: Reduce regulatory burdens on businesses to foster innovation and economic growth. This includes simplifying planning laws, loosening labour market restrictions (e.g., minimum wage laws or excessive employment regulations), and removing barriers to entry for startups, instead promoting voluntary exchange and market competition.
Promote Free Trade: Unilateral free trade policies, reducing tariffs and trade barriers to enhance consumer choice and economic efficiency. Pursue free trade agreements post-Brexit while avoiding protectionist measures that distort markets.
Privatise State-Owned Enterprises: Further privatization of state-controlled industries and services, such as parts of the NHS or public utilities, to improve efficiency and reduce government monopolies. Private markets deliver better outcomes through competition and innovation.
Reform Welfare to Encourage Self-Reliance: Replace much of the welfare state with systems that promote work and personal responsibility, such as negative income taxes or universal basic income. State welfare is often paternalistic and inefficient.
Strengthen Property Rights: Classical liberalism places strong emphasis on property rights as a foundation of freedom. Policies should protect private property, streamline land use regulations, and ensure legal frameworks uphold contracts and ownership.
Limit Government Power through Constitutional Checks: Restrain government through constitutional mechanisms. Introduce reforms to strengthen the rule of law, such as stricter checks on executive power, to prevent overreach and protect individual liberties.
Decriminalize Victimless Crimes: Decriminalise victimless crimes like recreational cannabis use, as long as they do not risk harming others.
Enhance Free Speech and Civil Liberties: Protect free speech and civil liberties, and end restrictions like hate speech laws that erode open discourse. Free speech is essential for the spontaneous order of a free society.
Eamonn Butler