How LIBG works
LIBG's role within Liberal International
LIBG is part of the world federation of liberal political parties - Liberal International. Founded in 1947, Liberal International has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the strengthening of liberal democracy around the world. There are a number of common principles which unite all liberal parties from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe; human rights, free and fair elections and multi-party democracy, social justice, tolerance, social market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability and a strong sense of international solidarity. Naturally in the application of these principles in different national circumstances there is diversity among liberal parties.
The British Group of Liberal International publicises the work of Liberal International, arranges overseas visits, provides hospitality for visiting liberals and keeps Liberal Democrats informed of liberal activities world-wide. It also arranges meetings and seminars, produces regular newsletters and raises funds for Liberal International's work. The British Group is represented at Congresses and Executive meetings of the Liberal International.
LIBERALISM
Liberals are committed to build and safeguard free, fair and open societies, in which they seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance and conformity. Liberals champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals. We acknowledge and respect the right to freedom of conscience and the right of everyone to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. The freedom to be creative and innovative can only be sustained by a market economy, but it must be one offering people real choices. This means that we want neither a market where freedom is limited by monopolies or an economy disassociated from the interests of the poor and the community as a whole. Liberals are optimistic at heart and trust the people while recognising the need to always be vigilant of those in power.
Welcome from Larry Ngan, chair of LIBG
I am honoured to be elected chair of the Liberal International British Group (LIBG).
I am originally from Hong Kong and moved to the UK in 2006. I joined the party in 2017. The Brexit negotiations and the Hong Kong protests in 2019–20 helped me understand how internationalism can make a difference in our world, and since then I have dedicated myself to foreign policy and international relations.
Before being elected chair of LIBG, I served as chair of the Liberal Democrats Friends of Hong Kong and as an elected member of the Federal International Relations Committee over the past three years. In the past, I worked on Hong Kong and China policy for our party. More recently, I have shifted my focus to foreign interference and democratic resilience.
As an affiliated organisation of Liberal International, LIBG aims to promote liberal values internationally, including human rights, social justice, democracy, and the rule of law.
We believe in pro-Europeanism and therefore promote closer relations with the European Union and other pan-European institutions.
To achieve this, we work with like-minded parties inside and outside Europe and encourage engagement through publications (including our journal, Interlib), conferences, and regular fringe events.
With the rise of the alt-right across the global political spectrum, this is a challenging time to take over as chair of LIBG. We are facing national security threats from authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, and Iran. Working with like-minded countries to protect our democratic institutions and liberal values has become vital to our survival.
I had personal experience of this at the Liberal International Congress in The Hague in 2025, where I had several very interesting discussions with representatives from our sister parties, particularly on the issue of donations from authoritarian regimes to political parties and non-governmental organisations. These interactions were extremely valuable to my work in the policy working group on foreign interference.
Through this experience, I have come to understand the importance of the work carried out by Liberal International. As the newly elected chair of LIBG,
I very much look forward to leading our affiliated organisation to further success in the years ahead.
