Centrist politics has shifted more into conservatism in recent years. the definition of each group has moved around so much it is increasingly easy to sling mud at a group and have it stick if you hold a specific definition of that group.

Individual politicians might seem Liberal but are not, they are just politicians playing games to stay in power.

Yes, exactly. These two statements are complimentary. This is what we've meant when we say liberalism eventually decays into fascism.