5 Things Liberal Democrat's can learn from the US Democrat Party...

The US Democrat Party is a Liberal Democrat movement like ours; we share many of the same values, policies and social outlook'; we are brothers and sisters in arms in a battle to bring happiness and freedom to the many and to free the world from tyranny, poverty and war. However, whilst the US Democrat Party is riding high after winning two US Presidential elections under the leadership of Barack Obama and are the bookies favourite to be elected for a third time under the leadership of Hilary Clinton this year the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK is at it's lowest position in the polls since the birth of the party. If the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK are going to become a political force, ready to be elected to govern the United Kingdom, we must look to the US Democrat Party as the model of the future of Liberal Democratic politics in the UK. A model of politics which has transformed political campaigning, won two elections and now has a President who on his way out is polling higher in the polls than ever before. For the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK to become the major party that it should be we must look across the Atlantic to our political brothers and sisters for inspiration. Here are 5 key things that we can learn from the US Democrat Party,

1. A Vision for the Future 

Barack Obama' election campaign built on the basis of a new vision for the future. A new post-racial America that would make Martin Luther King's dream a social reality. A new America that was not "balkanised" by race, class, gender or sex but where every one would be given equal opportunities and it would be possible for an African-American with a foreign name to become President of the United States of America. If the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK want to become a competitive political force we need to have a compelling vision for the future and say no to the "fightback". Our politics now must look beyond the EU and towards Britain's future. We must map out an inspirational plan on the future of Britain's trade policies post-Brexit and how we can work together with the whole nation to make it a better place with greater opportunities for all. 



2. A Strategy for Diversity

It is no secret that the US Democrat Party depend on the vote of the African-American community, without whom they would never win a Presidential election. The US Democratic Party has actively courted the vote of African-American and other ethnic minorities and made themselves into their natural political ally. It is through the US Democratic Party that African-Americans and other ethnic minorities have been able to get a foothold into US politics. The US Democrat Party has made itself open to African-American candidates and has produced many great African-American politicians in major US Cities such as Harold Washington, Maynard Jackson and Cory Booker amongst others. The US Democrat Party have been so involved with African-Americans that they have even had members of the Black Panther Party run for local office. If the Liberal Democrats want to win an election we need to actively court the BME vote. That means becoming aware of diversity and avoiding meeting in cafes that serve pork and choosing to meet in coffee shops rather than pubs that alienate some BME minorities; making sure that diverse food is served at conference and that we acknowledge major festivals amongst BME faith groups. It also means seeking out the brightest and the best BME candidates that can bring their communities to become part of the Liberal Democrat movement.

3. A Pop Cultural Strategy   

The US Democratic Party have become the pop cultural party of the US. Their supporters include Beyonce, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West and some of the world's biggest pop cultural icons. Rappers such as J Cole and Kanye West have performed at fundraisers at the Democratic National Convention. Obama has frequently made pop cultural references throughout his Presidency. From singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" to speaking about Kanye West's declaration to run for President and that "Mic drop" at his final State of the Union address. Just recently Beyonce came out and publicly endorsed Hilary Clinton for President. The US Democratic Party are cool. As cool as you can get in politics anyway. Obama has spoken about his teenage cannabis use, told the world that he has Jay-Z's American Gangster on his Ipod and declared that he enjoyed the messages of Bob Marley as a youth. If the Liberal Democrat Party want to be the party of the future we need to adopt a pop cultural strategy, we must become Britain's pop cultural party, we must be cool.

4. A Community Organising Strategy

In 2009 the US Democratic Party launched Organising for America an organisation to introduce community organising principles into the US Democratic Party' political strategy. The organisation was successful in helping Obama to get elected second time around and pushing the Democratic Party policies locally at a grassroots level after Obama' first election win. The movement used community organising principles such as one to ones, personal testimonies and house meetings to deepen relationships between the activists; it emphasised organising locally on community issues that were important to Liberal Democrat supporters in the US. It also acted as a training ground for developing young Democrat leaders on the ground.

Giving many activists the opportunity to lead locally and to speak publicly many perhaps getting their first taste of public speaking and political leadership. Members join the party often because they wantrecognition, they have ambition, anger and an ego. Members do not want to sit around listening to leaders and experts but to become leaders and experts themselves that can hold their own defending Liberal Democrat values and principles if challenged. Members want to be recognised and given opportunities to develop political skills that can be used both inside and outside of politics and that contribute towards personal development. For the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK to make a difference locally as well as nationally, we must adopt community organising as a major party of our political strategy and develop a community organising wing of the party.

5. A Communications Strategy 

The US Democrat Party in the 2008 election pioneered the use of new technologies in political campaigning. The US Democrat Party developed a significant web presence and Barack Obama today has one of the largest social media followings in the world. During their 2008 and 2012 campaigns the US Democrat Party were able to harness the power of social media and the internet to raise small donations from Democrat Party supporters. These small donations contributed towards making Barack Obama's election the most well-funded in history. For the Liberal Democrat Party in the UK to become a modern Liberal Democrat political party we need to develop an engaging web and social media presence, that engages with the future, pop culture, diversity and grassroots community organising.

The time to look towards the future is now, the time for change is now. Yes We Can!