At first glance their policies seem to be aligned with standard Lib Dem policy. Being independent for now may be a good thing but in time they might want a political party to back them.

But tribalism is still strong in British politics.

My own MP (Angela Smith, she of the "funny tinge" gaffe) has left Labour for TIG. She needs to work with the Liberal Democrats going forward. The trouble is that she's well known for being extremely tribal and personally obnoxious towards them going all the way back to her days on Sheffield City Council. She's going to have to change her ways if she is serious about forging new alliances.

Do you think the Lib Dems have enough clout left to Change the Brexit path?

Although the legacy of the coalition remains a huge problem for the Liberal Democrats.

It all comes down to how willing people on all sides are to put the past aside and work together. We can't afford for all this to descend into a "centrist" version of the People's Front of Judea.

My wife and I have been visiting the UK for over a decade now, but I admit I am not very well acquainted with the Lib Dems - other than their one stab at a coalition government. I appreciate your insight.