Mark Latham joins David Leyonhjelm’s Liberal Democrat party, by Joe Kelly.

Former Labor Leader Mark Latham has announced his decision to join the Liberal Democrats, opening a new chapter in his career as a crusader against the cult of political correctness and a staunch defender of libertarian values.

Mr Latham told Andrew Bolt on Sky News on Monday evening it was “refreshing” to be in a party that upheld freedom of speech.

“I’m with them,” he said. “The fight for free speech in Australia has become critical … you don’t know how bad it is to lose your freedom of speech until it happens to you.”

Mr Latham said the Left of politics was rolling back enlightenment values by embracing identity politics and argued for the formation of a new coalition of groups to fight against the new progressive agenda.

hat-tip Stephen Neil