problem is, 'liberal' & 'conservative' over here are not parties, but vague descriptions of general tendencies of the *Parties*...and when used by the opposition, are usually an attempt to paint the opposition with innuendos referring to the more extreme positions held by some party members. It is a silly system in many ways, but a hard one to change.

A person can have a mixture of liberal or conservative views on various issues, but has no party which represents that basic setup, and has to choose Republican or Democrat depending on which represents his major concerns. (or join a minor party which seldom gets much representation at the polls)...

quite a dilema