So, am I a Tory?

No. I am not.

At least I don't think I am.

At College, I was (briefly) a member of the Labour Party. Looking back on it, I find it hard to explain why I joined. Either way, I think I went to one or two pub meetings and then drifted away.

More recently, however, I have been on a mission to learn about economics. My readings have led me to the conclusion that the basic insights of free-market economic theory best accord with my observations.

I don't really know what term to use but it's probably accurate to describe me as "pro-free markets", "economically liberal", perhaps even "economically right-wing", if such a term has any meaning.

So far, so classically liberal, perhaps (or maybe even Thatcherite).

The other aspect of politics, however, is where one stands on social issues. In this respect, I guess I am socially liberal. Thus, the astonishingly authoritarian actions of our current government upset me most grievously.

So, I'm economically liberal and socially liberal. Were I to join a political party, which one should it be?

New Labour? They say they're economically liberal on the tin but the reality has been somewhat different, to put it mildly. Don't get me started on their authoritarianism.

Lib Dems? Don't make me laugh. If we ignore their brazen opportunisim and assume they have a clear economic position, it's one of quasi-socialism. Were they to be elected and carry out their policies, the rest of the world would double up in laughter as the country was run into the ground

Tories? Well.... Cameron's recent pronouncements have suggested he really doesn't have much time for good economic arguments but at least he's sending out the right tones from a social perspective. It's immensely frustrating..... he appears to be moving them in the right direction on that scale whilst giving up their economic territory.

So, who else is there?