Diversity

"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity."


The Liberal Democrats are committed to increasing diversity throughout the party. We have a range of well-established organisations which work hard to represent the values and empower all members of our diverse society. You can find out more about the work these groups do below.

Diversity Engagement Group

The Diversity Engagement Group (DEG) is chaired by Dr Vince Cable and demonstrates the commitment the party has to becoming more representative of British society. DEG is in place to specifically increase the number of candidates and members from diverse backgrounds.

Campaign for Gender Balance (CGB)

The Campaign for Gender Balance is the Liberal Democrat party initiative to address the under-representation of women within the Parliamentary Party. It provides encouragement and support for women standing, and considering standing, for Parliament through a range of training, mentoring and support activities. This has proved successful in increasing the total number of women candidates in the party and, significantly, those selected for winnable seats.

If you are a woman who is interested in becoming a candidate for the Liberal Democrats, or you would like further information about the Campaign, please contact:

Vicky Booth - National Diversity Officer
Tel: 020 7340 4992 vicky.booth@libdems.org.uk

The group includes the following organisations:

Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats (EMLD)
Chaired by Meral Ece

EMLD exists to develop the education, participation and representation of ethnic minorities and others within the party.

Liberal Democrats Disability Association (LDDA)
Chaired by Anne Diamond

LDDA works within the party to raise both understanding of disability and awareness of what disability is.

Liberal Democrats Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Action (DELGA)
Chaired by Benji Starr

DELGA is the officially recognised party organisation committed to promoting the policies of the party to gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, and to ensure that the party's policies address their needs.

Women Liberal Democrats (WLD)
Chaired by Claire Jackson

WLD is the party's official women's organisation and is open to all party members.

Diversity Unit

The Diversity Unit includes Diversity Advisers, Issan Ghanzi and Vicky Booth who both work internally to provide a strategic plan to increase diversity, BME and Specialist Media Press Officer Diana Yeboah promotes and supports this work.

For more information about the work of the Diversity Unit, please contact:

Issan Ghazni - National Diversity Adviser
Tel: 020 7227 1319 issan.ghazni@libdems.org.uk
Vicky Booth - National Diversity Officer
Tel: 020 7340 4992 vicky.booth@libdems.org.uk
Henk van Klaveren - Press Officer
Tel: 020 7227 1232 henk.vanklaveren@libdems.org.uk

New Generation

The New Generation is a mentoring and training group which provides targeted support for BAME candidates.

For more information, please contact:

Vicky Booth - National Diversity Adviser
Tel: 020 7340 4992 vicky.booth@libdems.org.uk
Henk van Klaveren - Press Officer
Tel: 020 7227 1232 henk.vanklaveren@libdems.org.uk