Liberalism and banning smoking in cars

When I saw the headline:

Bristol MP backs BMA call for smoking ban in cars

I had a sinking feeling. Sure enough the MP in question turned out to be the Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams.

When asked, we Liberal Democrats usually say that we stand above all for individual liberty. But the reality is that some of are always to be found on the side of the argument that wants to curtail liberty for the sake of other desirable goals.

The problem is not, as Liberal Vision claims, that Stephen Williams is not a Liberal. It is that we have too weak an idea of what it means to be a Liberal in the modern world.

There are parallels with our lack of a clear idea of what Liberal economics look like. Perhaps we should deliver fewer leaflets and spend a bit more time thinking?