Our Mission and Vision
Championing Liberal Thought in the 21st Century
A Liberalism for the 21st Century
We believe that modern politics has become overly technocratic, disconnected from the lives of everyday people and unable to relate to their struggles and achievements. We define ourselves as ‘Egalitarian Liberals’, for we want to restore the broken link between the electorate and parliament by bringing politics closer to the public, and renew the social contract between the state and society.
We are humanists, believing in the right of every person to live their life by any means they see fit, unless their actions would bring harm to another. We support the entrepreneurial spirit that drives individuals to create and strive, while also believing in an enabling state that provides citizens the tools to discover worthwhile lives for themselves.
We seek to create a society free from inhumane treatment, unnecessary intrusion and an authoritarian state. This society would create free lives through participation, individual striving, co-operation and civic initiative.
Our Researchers
"Liberalism needs to reclaim the language of the Common Good, the perception that freedom emerges from the choices we make together, not just the choices we make alone"
Dr Ben Wood
Academic & Research Lead
Dr Benjamin Wood is a political theologian, philosopher and political theorist. He has a diverse range of scholarly interests including theories of public virtue, liberal and post-liberal accounts of freedom, and the relationship between politics and religion. He has taught at the University of Leeds, the University of Chester, and Leeds Trinity University. He is presently the programme co-ordinator for Applied Theology and Biblical Studies at Woodbrooke Learning.
Selected Writings
B. Wood 'Imagining a Liberal Future', in When We Speak of Freedom: Radical Liberalism in an Age of Crisis, ed. P. Hindley & B. Wood (Beacroft Publications, 2025), pp. 17-32
B. Wood ‘The Making of Christian Toryism: The Public Faith of Harold Macmillan’, International Journal of Public Theology, Volume 16 (2022): Issue 4 (Dec 2022, p. 466–490)
B. Wood ‘Liberalism and the Pre-Modern A Theological Appreciation of the Politics of Jo Grimond’, Theology and Civil Society, (London: Routledge, 2018), pp. 131-147
"Liberalism must stand for a thriving, tolerant and just society. It must inspire the dream of a better life that burns at the heart of the entrepreneur and the worker alike"
William Lane
Policy & Parliamentary Lead
William Lane is a policy, parliamentary and public affairs consultant with a background in health and life science policy. He works for a variety of All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), including the APPG on Respiratory Health. William's academic background includes a BA in History from the University of York, and a Master's degree in Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Selected Writings
All Party Parliamentary Group for Respiratory Health, Improving Silicosis Outcomes in the UK, All Party Parliamentary Group for Respiratory Health (2023)
W. Lane ‘A Fascist Brotherhood?’ The Independent State of Croatia as Part of an International Fascist Alliance (1941), MSc diss, (Wiener Holocaust Museum, 2022)
All Party Parliamentary Group for Respiratory Health, Improving Asthma Outcomes In The UK (One Year On), All Party Parliamentary Group for Respiratory Health (2022)
"Liberalism embodies both individual freedom and social justice. A truly liberal society is one that guarantees a fair amount of wealth, power, opportunity and ownership that enables all individuals to develop their individuality to the full."
Paul Hindley
Treasurer & Communications Lead
Paul Hindley is a theorist and researcher in the field of political economy. His work focuses on the political theory of social liberalism, the alleviation of poverty and injustice and the operation of real-world social policies. His main research interests include social security, tax justice, basic income, workplace democracy and popular asset ownership. He is coming to the end of completing a Politics PhD at Lancaster University.
Selected Writings
P. Hindley ‘Ownership for All’, in When We Speak of Freedom: Radical Liberalism in an Age of Crisis, ed. P. Hindley & B. Wood (Beacroft Publications, 2025), pg. 193-210
P. Hindley ‘Freedom from Social Hardship: Social Liberalism’s Rallying Cry’ in The Wolves in the Forest: Tackling Inequality in the 21 st Century, ed. P. Hindley & G. Lishman (Social Liberal Forum, 2019), pg. 8-19
P. Hindley ‘Social Rights at the Seaside: Giving Left Behind Communities a Stake in Society’ in Four Go In Search of Big Ideas: Putting Progressive Ideas at the Heart of UK Politics, ed. H. Flynn (Social Liberal Forum, 2018), pg. 87-94
The Definition of 'Egalitarian Liberalism'
‘A full and flourishing life involves each person having the chance to shape their course, revise their aims, and discover new possibilities for themselves and others. Self-development is a key principle in any meaningful philosophy of freedom. We cannot simply inherit what is good, beautiful and true, we must discover these things for ourselves. In this respect, we regard Liberalism not principally a set of economic beliefs, but as a moral and experimental creed which stresses the dignity, value, and mystery of each person. We believe that politics must always be organised around abiding human needs, rather than forcing individuals into predefined shapes or scheme. Class, caste, closed shops, and rigid social hierarchies are all intolerable to liberals and must be challenged in the name of individual freedom. ‘ - Dr Benjamin Wood, Free & Equal
Get in touch
E-mail: info@free-and-equal.com