Liberal Democrats
Leader	Nick Clegg MP
Founded	1988
Headquarters	4 Cowley Street London, SW1P 3NB
Political Ideology	Social liberalism, Market liberalism
Political Position	Centre Left[1][2]
International Affiliation	Liberal International
European Affiliation	European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
European Parliament Group	Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Colours	Gold/Yellow, Black
Website	www.libdems.org.uk
See also	Politics of the UK Political parties Elections Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... As a market-emphasized descendant of classical liberalism, market liberalism advocates full freedom of markets, without e. ... The centre-left is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties or organizations (such as think tanks) whose views stretch from the centre to the left on the left-right spectrum, excluding far left stances. ... Liberal International is a political international for international liberal parties. ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 49 national liberal and centrist parties from across Europe. ... ALDE logo The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour lEurope) is a Group in the European Parliament. ... Gold is a shade of the color yellow closest to that of gold metal. ... Yellow is any color of light that stimulates both the red and green cone cells of the retina, but not the blue cone cells. ... Black is a colour with several subtle differences in meaning. ... The Politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes place in the framework of a constitutional monarchy in which the Monarch is head of state and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government. ... This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. ... The United Kingdom has five distinct types of elections: general, local, regional, European and mayoral. ...

The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, is a liberal political party in the United Kingdom formed in 1988 by the merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party; the two parties had already been in an alliance for seven years prior to this, since not long after the formation of the SDP. Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ... This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance of the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party in the UK that ran from 1981 to 1988, when the bulk of the two parties merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, later referred to as simply the Liberal Democrats. ...

The Liberal Democrats is the third-largest party in the UK Parliament, behind Labour and the Conservatives, with 63 Members of Parliament (MPs) Р62 were elected at the general election of 2005, and one in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election (February 2006). In the last session of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Liberal Democrats formed part of the coalition Scottish Executive with Labour; the Lib Dems supplied the Deputy First Minister, Nicol Stephen. The UK party's leader is Nick Clegg, who was elected on 18 December 2007. Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin MP Speaker of the House of Lords H̩l̬ne Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005. ... The Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, in Dunfermline and western Fife, Scotland, was held on February 9, 2006 following the death of sitting Labour MP Rachel Squire on January 6. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Executives logo, shown with English and Scottish Gaelic caption The term Scottish Executive is used in two different, but closely-related senses: to denote the executive arm of Scotlands national legislature (i. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is, as the name suggests, the Deputy to the First Minister of Scotland. ... Nicol Ross Stephen (born 23 March 1960) is the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South. ... Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Generally promoting social liberalism, the Liberal Democrats seek to minimise state intervention in personal affairs in the United Kingdom and throughout the world: many Lib Dem MPs criticise such intervention as symptomatic of a "nanny state". Unlike some other liberal parties, the Liberal Democrats were not founded on an explicit doctrine of economic liberalism, instead favouring combining a commitment to social justice and the welfare state with a belief in economic freedom and competitive markets wherever possible. The party's Presidential Book of Office, passed between outgoing and incoming Presidents, is John Stuart Mill's On Liberty. Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... Nanny state is a derogatory term that refers to state protectionism, economic interventionism, or regulatory policies, and the perception that these policies are becoming institutionalized as common practice. ... This is an overview of parties that adhere more or less (explicitly) to the ideas of political liberalism and is therefore a list of liberal parties around the world. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Social justice refers to the concept of an unjust society that refers to more than just the administration of laws. ... There are three main interpretations of the idea of a welfare state: the provision of welfare services by the state. ... John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 – 8 May 1873), British philosopher, political economist, civil servant and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. ... On Liberty is a philosophical work in the English language by 19th century philosopher John Stuart Mill, first published in 1859. ...

The party is supportive of a multilateral foreign policy; they opposed British participation in the War in Iraq and support a swift withdrawal of troops from the country. The Liberal Democrats are considered the most pro-European party in British politics. In the past decade the party has adopted a strong sense of environmentalist values – favouring taxing high polluters more than currently. Since the 2007 party conference in Brighton, the party favours cutting the basic rate of income tax by 'four pence in the pound', an alteration of their policy towards fiscal neutrality and away from increasing tax revenue for purposes of redistribution, that had previously been considered an "Old Labour" position. There have been three conflicts in the late 20th century and early 21st century called Gulf War, all of which refer to conflicts in the Persian Gulf region: Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) (aka First Gulf War). ... Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the European Union (EU) and/or further European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies. ... The historic Blue Marble photograph, which helped bring environmentalism to the public eye. ... For other places with the same name, see Brighton (disambiguation). ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        An income tax is a tax levied on the financial income... In economics, the excess burden of taxation, also known as the distortionary cost or deadweight loss of taxation, is an additional social cost that goes beyond the number of dollars collected in tax. ...

Ideology

The Liberal Democrats describe their ideology as giving "power to the people"; they are against the undemocratic concentration of power in unaccountable bodies. They propose decentralisation of power out of Westminster, and electoral and parliamentary reform. They would also create a system of tiered government structures to make decisions at what they see as the right level, including regional assemblies, the European Union, and international organisations. In keeping with this principle, the Liberal Democrats are keen protectors of civil liberties and oppose intervention of the state in personal affairs. This may refer to the: British Houses of Parliament. ... Civil liberties is the name given to freedoms that protect the individual from government. ...

Position

Since the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, the Liberal Democrats and their precursor Liberal party have been seen as the centrist party of British politics, although Tony Blair repositioned the Labour Party to the centre in the 1990s. Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS (née Roberts; born 13 October 1925) served as British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 until 1990, being the first and only woman to hold either post. ... For other persons named John Major, see John Major (disambiguation). ... In politics, centrism usually refers to the political ideal of promoting moderate policies which land in the middle ground between different political extremes. ... For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency...

Some claim that attempting to place the Liberal Democrats in the "left wing"-"right wing" model does not accurately represent their ideology and that the Liberal Democrats represent the Libertarian end of the Libertarian-Authoritarian axis, a political dimension that is perpendicular to the better-known left-right axis. For example some Lib Dems oppose the power of the trade unions while others oppose the power of the corporations. Their position in both instances could be defined as an opposition to unaccountable power – whether it be left wing or right wing. Political parties Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Left-Right politics or the Left-Right political spectrum is a common way of classifying political positions, political ideologies, or political parties along a one-dimensional political spectrum. ... See also Libertarianism and Libertarian Party Libertarian,is a term for person who has made a conscious and principled commitment, evidenced by a statement or Pledge, to forswear violating others rights and usually living in voluntary communities: thus in law no longer subject to government supervision. ... The term authoritarian is used to describe an organization or a state which enforces strong and sometimes oppressive measures against the population, generally without attempts at gaining the consent of the population. ... Fig. ... Much of the recent sociological debate on power revolves around the issue of the constraining and/or enabling nature of power. ...

Others argue that this is consistent with both twentieth and twenty-first century British politics, which is in turn an example of the traditional left-right spectrum of political analysis. According to this view, liberalism or political centrism is consistent with a left-right analysis of politics. Thus when the Lib Dems oppose the trade unions, they do so from the centre of the political spectrum with the trade unions being to the left of them. When the Lib Dems oppose the power of the large corporations, they still do this from the centre of the political spectrum with the difference that the corporations are to the right of them.

Using a two-dimensional scale, Political Compass has labelled the Liberal Democrats as central on economic issues but liberal on social issues.^[3] The chart proposed by the Political Compass Organization A political compass or political diamond is a multi-axis model used to label or organize political thought on several dimensions. ...

Relative to Labour

The shift in the direction of Labour started in the 1980s but accelerated in response to the party's fourth consecutive election defeat in 1992. Since the election of Tony Blair, New Labour courted Conservative voters and politicians on the basis that if they take the centre ground from the other parties, they gain power. They were partly able to do this because their own voters have nowhere to turn to the left of New Labour. Thus in recent years the Lib Dems have tried to a degree to accommodate these people, by adopting or at least making public, more social liberal policies. This approach has been successful to some degree. For example, the Marxist Tariq Ali implored Londoners to vote Lib Dem before the 2005 general election over the Iraq war. However, to some working-class voters the Lib Dems are associated with the employer's interests. The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ... Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... Marxism is both the theory and the political practice (that is, the praxis) derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. ... Tariq Ali Tariq Ali (Urdu: طارق علی) (born October 21, 1943) is a British-Pakistani writer and filmmaker [1]. He is a member of the editorial committee of the New Left Review, and regularly contributes to The Guardian, Counterpunch, and the London Review of Books, He is the author of Pirates Of...

In September 2005 there was a discussion at the Lib Dems conference as to whether the social liberal ideals have taken them as far as they can go, and whether they should now move back to the right in order to court Conservative voters. This could involve abolishing support for policies such as a proposed 50% tax rate for those who earn over £100,000. This policy proposal in particular has been used by the Conservative press to paint the party as 'left wing' and as such, this policy risks losing borderline and better off Lib Dem/Conservative voters. Proponents of a move to the right argue that left-wing policies could see the Lib Dems losing marginal seats to the Conservatives, seats which are vital if the Lib Dems wish to become the new 'official' opposition to any future Labour government. Opponents argue that the Lib Dems can unite the anti-Conservative vote in such marginal constituencies, and moving to the right risks losing other marginals in urban areas to the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. They claim also that any move to the right could harm the Lib Dems in local elections, especially with the recent notable successes of the Green party. They also argue that a move to the right could lead not just to a loss of Lib Dem vote share, but also to a depressing total turnout in general. The Scottish National Party (SNP) (Scottish Gaelic: is a centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence. ... Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... The Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) is the principal Green political party in England and Wales. ...

Policies

Current party policies can be found on the party website:

• Mini-manifesto list
• Detailed policy papers

Human rights and law

The Liberal Democrats' constitution speaks of "a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals".^[4] The party has been popular among campaigners for the decriminalisation of recreational drugs, due to their opposition of state intervention in personal affairs. Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational rather than medical or spiritual purposes, although the distinction is not always clear. ...

The Liberal Democrats:

• support civil liberties, and have opposed the more authoritarian of Labour's anti-terror laws (for example 'detention without trial').^[4]
• support anti-discrimination laws (covering race, gender and sexuality).^[5]
• would use phone-taps and other "intercept communications" as evidence in court against terrorist suspects, making prosecution easier.^[6]
• propose that judges should be able to give life sentences to those who should stay in prison forever, and oppose mandatory life sentences for all serious crimes which may not mean life.^[7]
• oppose the British national identity card. They support the use of biometrics in passports only, but the database behind these passports would carry only the information on the passport plus the biometric match.^[6]

Civil liberties is the name given to freedoms that protect the individual from government. ... The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 was formally introduced into the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 19 November 2001 two months after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York. ... Enabling legislation for the British national identity card was passed under the Identity Cards Act 2006. ... At Disney World, biometric measurements are taken of the fingers of multi-day pass users to ensure that the pass is used by the same person from day to day. ... For Microsoft Corporation’s “universal login” service, formerly known as Microsoft Passport Network, see Windows Live ID. For other types of travel document, see Travel document. ...

Spending and taxation

Historically the Liberal Democrats have favoured higher taxes, but have also advocated "small-state" policies such as the abolition of some government departments. The most well-known Liberal Democrat policy for most of the 1990s was to increase the basic rate of income tax by one percent to fund public services (especially education). This proposal was abandoned after Tony Blair's Labour government increased national insurance contributions by the same amount, a policy with much the same effect. Other previous fiscal policy included increasing the top rate of income tax by ten percentage points to 50% for those earning over £100,000 to fund their increased public spending plans, but this was abandoned in 2006 after the party conference approved new tax policies which left the top rate at 40%. For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Part of the Taxation series        UK Income Tax and National Insurance (2005–2006) UK Income Tax and National Insurance as a % of Salary (2005–2006) National Insurance (NI) is a system of taxes and related social security benefits in the...

The period following 2001 saw an internal discussion about the right policies for the party on economics and public spending: some party members advocated that the party position itself as a defender of the traditional welfare state in order to gain support from those who had previously voted Labour. Others, most notably David Laws, advocated a policy of smaller government and free-market liberalism (the 2004 Orange Book was an example of this wing of the discussion). There are three main interpretations of the idea of a welfare state: the provision of welfare services by the state. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... David Anthony Laws (born 30 November 1965) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ...

The party announced its policy of abolishing the Department for Trade and Industry in 2004. The Lib Dems propose to replace Council Tax with local income taxes; in 2003 they started to make their long-held pledge to abolish Council Tax a centrepiece of their campaign. In February 2008 new leader Nick Clegg stated the party still advocated this, as part of devolving power to regional and local authorities, where they set their own tax levels.^[8] Clegg said that the tax burden should not rise, but that the burden should vary within that ceiling, for example continuing the policy to "cut in income tax for low and middle income earners of 4p in the pound".^[8] At the 2008 party conference, Clegg said that tax cuts were possible policy for the next general election.^[9] The Department of Trade and Industry is a United Kingdom government department. ... The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in England, Scotland and Wales. ... Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ... Under the provisions of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, the next United Kingdom general election must be held on or before 3 June 2010, barring exceptional circumstances. ...

The Liberal Democrats:

• proposed in 2003 to replace council tax, which is collected based on the value of the taxpayer's house in 1991, with a local income tax.^[10]
• favour cutting income tax by 4p in the pound for low and middle income earners.^[8]
• proposed in 2001 to have a non-means tested increase in pensions.^[11]
• pledged in 2005 to fund 10,000 police officers (on top of Labour’s plans) and provide an extra 20,000 community support officers to back them up. They would equip the police with new technology to tackle crime and cut time spent on paperwork.^[12]
• support "free education for all" and propose to abolish university tuition fees and set up a system of Government grants for university students.^[13]
• supported and predicted nationalisation of the Northern Rock bank from the start of its financial difficulty, which Labour and the Conservatives did not.^[14]

The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in England, Scotland and Wales. ... Top-up fees (not their official name) are a new way of charging tuition to undergraduate and PGCE students who study at universities in the United Kingdom from the 2006-2007 academic year onwards. ... Nationalization is the act of taking assets into state ownership. ... Northern Rock (LSE: NRK) is a British bank based at Regent Centre near Newcastle Upon Tyne in northern England. ... Northern Rock (LSE: NRK) is a British bank based at Regent Centre near Newcastle Upon Tyne in northern England. ...

International affairs

With a few exceptions (most notably Paddy Ashdown),^[15] Lib Dem MPs opposed the 2003 Invasion of Iraq although with division over whether troops should be withdrawn immediately or not once the war had begun.^[16] The party stated that they would support UK forces that had been ordered to fight while it was taking place; after the initial military action was completed, they renewed their political opposition. The party was the strongest advocate of the Kosovo War and before that, intervention in Bosnia. The Liberal Democrats have been consistently the most pro-European party in the UK; Labour have become increasingly pro-European, and the Conservatives more eurosceptic. They want the UK to take the lead in combating global warming by becoming a zero-carbon economy by 2050, and to ensure that G8 and EU countries commit to higher emissions cuts per capita than developing countries.^[17] Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941), commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician. ... This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... The term Kosovo War or Kosovo Conflict is often used to describe two sequential and at times parallel armed conflicts (a civil war followed by an international war) in the southern Serbian province called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... Combatants Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Predominantly Bosniak) Army of Republika Srpska, Yugoslav Peoples Army, various paramilitary units from Serbia and Montenegro (Serbian) Croatian Defence Council, Croatian Army (Croatian) Commanders Alija Izetbegović (President of Bosnia and Herzegovina) Sefer Halilović (Army chief of staff 1992-1993) Rasim... Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the European Union (EU) and/or further European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies. ... Euroscepticism is scepticism about, or disagreement with, the purposes of the European Union, sometimes coupled with a desire to preserve national sovereignty. ... Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earths near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. ... A low-carbon economy is an economy in which carbon dioxide emissions from the use of carbon based fuels (coal, oil and gas) are significantly reduced. ... Group of Eight redirects here. ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations by or about: European Union The European Union On-Line Official EU website, europa. ... A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ...

The Liberal Democrats:

• would establish a 'National Border Agency', bringing together officers from immigration, the police and customs, whose responsibilities currently overlap. This agency would deal with cross border crime, illegal immigration, terrorism and fraud.^[6]
• would cut down on illegal working by inspecting employers and bringing prosecutions against those who use illegal labour.^[6]
• support an amnesty for illegal migrants who have lived in the UK for at least 10 years and do not have a criminal record.^[18]
• oppose the "protectionist labour market restrictions" imposed by many European governments on legal migrants from the new EU member states.^[19]
• are in favour of full UK participation in the European Union and a referendum on joining the euro.^[20]
• support the Treaty of Lisbon, and want a referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union (they would campaign to stay in).^[21]
• support measures to prevent global temperatures rising above the +2°C level, such as replacing petrol-driven cars by 2040, Europe-wide taxation of aviation fuel, and a more ambitious EU emissions 'cap and trade' system.^[17]

Illegal alien and Illegal aliens redirect here. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... Wikinews has related news: Interview with U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo Immigration reform is the common term used in political discussions regarding changes to immigration policy. ... Immigration in the modern sense refers to movement of people from one nation-state to another, where they are not citizens. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... The Treaty of Lisbon was signed on February 13, 1668, between Afonso VI of Portugal and Carlos II of Spain, by mediation of Charles II of England. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A referendum (plural referendums or referenda), ballot question, or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...

Government reform

At the 2008 party conference, Nick Clegg announced a policy for reforming elections, parties and parliament in a 'constitutional convention' of parties, civil society, churches and others, which would be a condition of forming a government in a hung parliament.^[22] The reforms included cutting expenditure by having 150 fewer MPs, by-elections for those who break MP's rules, having a £25,000 cap on donations to parties and a £10 million annual party spending limit, and including the option on ballot papers to donate £3 of funding to a party of the voter's choice.^[23][22] In Parliamentary systems, a hung parliament is one in which no one political party has an outright majority. ...

Unlike the other main political parties in the United Kingdom, which have either opposed or merely paid lip service to the concept, the Lib Dems have always strongly advocated proportional representation. This has always been a cornerstone of the party's policies, and on many occasions has been cited as a key requirement of any Lib Dem involvement in a coalition government. Several deals have been struck with Labour and Conservative leaders in the past, promising Liberal and Lib Dem support in return for a commitment to consider the introduction of PR, but the two major parties have always found it more advantageous to stick with first-past-the-post. Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a cabinet in parliamentary government in which several parties cooperate. ... The first-past-the-post electoral system is a voting system for single-member districts, variously called first-past-the-post (FPTP or FPP), winner-take-all, plurality voting, or relative majority. ...

Both the Liberal Democrats and its Liberal and SDP predecessors have suffered under the current first past the post voting system since the 1920s. They have maintained a substantial part of the popular vote while being unable to focus that support in specific constituencies. This has been less of a problem in the 2001 and 2005 general elections, as the party focused its resources on key winnable constituencies – many credit this to the party's chief election strategist Lord Rennard.^[24] This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... The plurality voting system, also known as first past the post, is a voting system used to elect a single winner in a given election. ... A constituency is any cohesive corporate unit or body bound by shared structures, goals or loyalty. ... Christopher John Chris Rennard, Baron Rennard (born 1960) is a British Liberal Democrat politician. ...

After the 2005 election, there was a debate in the party as to whether this should remain such a high-profile issue. The party has usually advocated the adoption of the single transferable vote with multi-member constituencies. A common debate in the party revolves around whether or not to give support to other forms of proportional representation that the party regards as flawed, such as the closed party lists for the European Parliament, since it may make it harder to achieve the single transferable vote. Nick Clegg stated at the 2008 party conference that electoral reform and introducing PR was still party policy, as part of a wider scheme of reforming parliament and parties.^[9] This STV ballot for the Australian Senate illustrates group voting tickets. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild...

The Liberal Democrats:

• support more open government, including substantial reforms to increase parliamentary oversight of the executive.^[25]
• support the decentralisation of power to the lowest possible level.^[25]
• are federalists, believing in a change of structure for the United Kingdom to a federal state of the four constituent countries.^[25] As such, they are often categorised as unionist and are allied with the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, which has unionist leanings.
• favour of proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons, preferably by the Single Transferable Vote system.^[25]
• favour of abolishing the House of Lords and replacing it with an elected chamber.^[25]
• support cutting parliamentary expenditure, including capping donations to £25,000 to reduce the influence of rich donors,^[9] and reducing the number of MPs by 150.^[23]

This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), is a political party operating in Northern Ireland. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Unionism, in the context of Ireland, is a belief in the continuation of the Act of Union 1800 (as amended by the Government of Ireland Act 1920) so that Northern Ireland (created by the 1920 Act) remains part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... Type Lower House Speaker Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Leader Harriet Harman, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader Theresa May, (Conservative) since May 5, 2005 Members 659 Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin... This STV ballot for the Australian Senate illustrates group voting tickets. ... This article is about the British House of Lords. ...

History

Founding

Logo of the SDP-Liberal Alliance

The Liberal Democrats were formed on 3 March 1988^[26] as a result of a merger between the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, as such the party has the legacy of both the Liberal Party and the old Labour right; the Liberals were themselves descended from the British Whig Party. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... The Whigs (with the Tories) are often described as one of two political parties in England and later the United Kingdom from the late 17th to the mid 19th centuries. ...

Having declined to third party status after the rise of the Labour Party in 1922, the Liberals found themselves challenged for their place as the centrist party of British politics in the 1980s. When the Labour Party adopted hard-line socialist policies, a group of moderate Labour MPs broke away and established the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claiming as their goal to preserve previous Labour Party traditions. The SDP and the Liberals soon realised that there was no place for two centrist political parties, and entered into the SDP-Liberal Alliance so that they would not stand against each other in elections. The two parties drew up their own policies and had different emphases, but produced a joint manifesto for the 1983 and 1987 General Elections. Initially the Alliance was led by David Steel (Liberal) and Roy Jenkins (SDP), the latter was later replaced by David Owen (SDP). The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance of the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party in the UK that ran from 1981 to 1988, when the bulk of the two parties merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, later referred to as simply the Liberal Democrats. ... Look up manifesto in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The UK general election, 1983 was held on June 9, 1983 and gave the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945. ... Margaret Thatcher David Steel Election 1987 Titles The United Kingdom general election of 1987 was held on 11 June 1987 and was the third consecutive victory for the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher. ... David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE, PC (born 31 March 1938) is a British and Scottish politician and a Liberal Democrat member of the UK House of Lords. ... Roy Harris Jenkins, Baron Jenkins of Hillhead, OM, PC (November 11, 1920 – January 5, 2003) was a British politician and a prominent Labour Member of Parliament in the 1960s and 1970s, and founding member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). ... David Anthony Llewellyn Owen, Baron Owen, CH, PC (born July 2, 1938) is a British politician, Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and one of the founders of the British Social Democratic Party (SDP). ...

In 1987, following disappointing results in that year's general election, Steel proposed a merger of the two parties. Although opposed by David Owen, it was supported by a majority of members of each and the two parties formally merged in 1988, with David Steel and Robert Maclennan (who had become SDP leader in August 1987) as interim joint leaders. At the time of the merger, in 1988, the party took the name Social and Liberal Democrats (SLD). After briefly shortening its name in October 1988 to The Democrats, it changed to the current name of Liberal Democrats in October 1989, which is now frequently shortened to "Lib Dems". Robert Adam Ross Maclennan, Baron Maclennan of Rogart, PC (born June 26, 1936), educated at Balliol College, Oxford, is a British Liberal Democrat politician. ...

The minority of the SDP who rejected the merger remained under David Owen's leadership. Some Liberals disliked the direction the party was going in after Paddy Ashdown's election as leader and created a new party which revived the name "Liberal Party". Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941), commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician. ... The 1988 Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election was called following the formation of the then Social and Liberal Democrats (later shortening their name to Liberal Democrats). It was intended to replace the two interim leaders, David Steel and Robert Maclennan, with a single figurehead better able to represent both... The Liberal Party is a minor United Kingdom political party. ...

Post-1988 history

Ashdown (1988-99)

Paddy Ashdown: Liberal Democrat Leader 1988–1999

The former Liberal MP Paddy Ashdown became leader of the new party in July 1988. The new party had a difficult birth and initially struggled to assert an identity, especially after the two name changes. At the 1989 European Elections the Liberal Democrats received only 6% of the vote, being beaten into fourth place by the Green Party. Image File history File links Paddy_Ashdown_1. ... Image File history File links Paddy_Ashdown_1. ... Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941), commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician. ... The European Parliament Election, 1989 was the third European election to be held in the United Kingdom. ... The Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) is the principal Green political party in England and Wales. ...

By the early 1990s however, the party under Ashdown's leadership began to recover. The party saw a revival in fortunes at the 1990 Local elections. Several by-election victories in the early 1990s at Eastbourne (1990) Ribble Valley (1991) and Kincardine & Deeside (1991) improved the party's standing and morale. A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... The Eastbourne by-election, 1990 was a by-election held on 18th October 1990 for the British House of Commons constituency of Eastbourne in East Sussex. ... The Ribble Valley by-election was called in 1991 following the elevation of United Kingdom MP David Waddington to the House of Lords. ... The Kincardine and Deeside by-election was a parliamentary election held in Kincardine and Deeside, Scotland, on 7 November 1991, caused by the death of its Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Alick Buchanan-Smith on 29 August 1991. ...

The Lib Dems did not immediately manage to repeat the 20%+ shares of national vote which the SDP/Liberal alliance had achieved in the 1980s. The 1992 general election was the first general election contested by the Lib Dems; the result was disappointing, as the party won 17.8% of the vote and twenty seats. They did manage to more than double their representation in Parliament at the 1997 General Election, largely through tactical voting and concentration of resources on winnable seats, rather than increases in support. Throughout the 1990s the party became a major force in local government. The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... In voting systems, tactical voting (or strategic voting) occurs when a voter supports a candidate other than his or her sincere preference in order to prevent an undesirable outcome. ...

Following the election of Tony Blair as leader of the Labour Party in 1994, Ashdown controversially pursued a policy of cooperation between the two parties (the two leaders allegedly agreed to form a coalition government). However this Lib-Lab pact failed to materialise when it became apparent to the Liberal Democrats that Labour would not introduce proportional representation and other key Liberal Democrat demands. Labour's massive majority after the 1997 general election also meant that Blair lost interest in pursuing the issue, and some senior Labour politicians (such as John Prescott) were strongly opposed to a coalition. For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency... Lib-Lab Pact has been the term used to describe a working arrangement between the UKs political parties of the Liberals (later Liberal Democrats) and the Labour Party. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... For other persons named John Prescott, see John Prescott (disambiguation). ...

Kennedy (1999-2006)

Ashdown retired as leader in 1999^[27] and Charles Kennedy was elected as his replacement. Kennedy was originally the only SDP MP who fully supported the merger. The party improved on their 1997 results at the 2001 general election, winning more seats and increasing their share of the vote. For other persons named Charles Kennedy, see Charles Kennedy (disambiguation). ... The 1999 Liberal Democrats leadership election was called following the resignation of Paddy Ashdown as leader. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ...

During Labour's second term, the Liberal Democrats won support due to their opposition to the war on Iraq, and Charles Kennedy expressed his goal of replacing the Conservatives as the main opposition. The political magazine The Spectator awarded Kennedy the "Parliamentarian of the Year" award in November 2004 for his opposition to the Iraq War.^[28] The party won seats from Labour in by-elections in Brent East in 2003 and Leicester South in 2004, and narrowly missed taking others in Birmingham Hodge Hill and Hartlepool.^[29] This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Cover of the Nov 12, 2005 issue of The Spectator magazine. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... The member of Parliament for Brent East, Paul Daisley, of the Labour Party died on June 18, 2003. ... Leicester South constituency, shown within Leicester. ... Hodge Hill constituency shown within Birmingham A by-election was held for the United Kingdom Parliament seat of Birmingham Hodge Hill, on July 15, the same day as the Leicester South by-election. ... Location of Hartlepool constituency On July 23, 2004, the Member of Parliament for Hartlepool, Peter Mandelson (Labour), was nominated as Britains new European Commissioner. ...

Charles Kennedy: Leader 1999–2006

Generally the party's increased support in the early 2000s came from both former Labour and former Conservative voters, due to the Lib Dems' positions on issues that unite the Labour left with liberal Conservatives: civil liberties, electoral reform, the War in Iraq and matters of trust and open government. Although these two groups of potential supporters might agree with the party on these issues (and disagree with the perceived authoritarianism of the government and main opposition), matters of economic policy presented an obvious gap between the two groups that the party are still debating how and whether to bridge.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other persons named Charles Kennedy, see Charles Kennedy (disambiguation). ... Civil liberties is the name given to freedoms that protect the individual from government. ... Electoral reform projects seek to change the way that public desires are reflected in elections through electoral systems. ... There have been three conflicts in the late 20th century and early 21st century called Gulf War, all of which refer to conflicts in the Persian Gulf region: Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) (aka First Gulf War). ...

At the 2005 general election, the Liberal Democrats gained their highest share of the vote since the days of the SDP-Liberal Alliance, receiving 62 seats. However, many had anticipated that this election would prove to be the Lib Dem's great breakthrough at Westminster; some party activists hoped to reach 100 MPs. From this perspective, 2005 could be considered a wasted opportunity for the Liberal Democrats, although many commentators point to the familiar problem with the first-past-the-post electoral system; the party got about one-quarter of the total votes nationally but only one-tenth of the parliamentary seats. The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005. ... The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance of the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party in the UK that ran from 1981 to 1988, when the bulk of the two parties merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, later referred to as simply the Liberal Democrats. ... The first-past-the-post electoral system is a voting system for single-member districts, variously called first-past-the-post (FPTP or FPP), winner-take-all, plurality voting, or relative majority. ...

One of the more interesting trends observed at the election was the Lib Dems replacing the Conservatives as Labour's main opponents in several urban areas. Many of the party's gains came in previously Labour-held urban constituencies (e.g. Manchester Withington, Cardiff Central, Birmingham Yardley), and the party also notably achieved over 100 second-place finishes behind Labour candidates. The long-term implications of this trend in British politics could be profound, since the current British electoral system, if it is not reformed, makes it nearly impossible for the Conservatives to return a government without winning some city seats (such as the now Lib Dem Bristol West constituency, where the Conservatives placed third in 2005 after holding the seat until 1997). Manchester Withington is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Cardiff Central is a parliamentary constituency for the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Welsh Assembly. ... Yardley constituency shown within Birmingham Birmingham Yardley is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Bristol West is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...

Campbell (2006-2007)

Menzies Campbell: Leader 2006–2007

The Conservatives' choice of David Cameron as leader in late 2005 led some senior Lib Dems to question whether Charles Kennedy was capable of dealing with the future challenges facing the party. In a personal statement on 5 January 2006, Charles Kennedy admitted to a long personal battle with alcoholism, and announced a leadership election in which he intended to stand for re-election. For several years rumours had occasionally surfaced alleging that Kennedy had problems with alcohol. The BBC's Nick Robinson called it "Westminster's worst-kept secret". However, Kennedy had on previous occasions denied this, leading some critics to suggest he had deliberately misled the public as well as his own party. His admission also attracted a degree of sympathy. He remains a popular public figure, and was widely thought to command enough support among grass roots Lib Dem members to win the leadership election. However, despite initially planning to stand as a candidate, Kennedy withdrew from the election citing a lack of support among Lib Dem MPs. Sir Menzies Campbell took over as acting leader. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 433 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (634 × 877 pixel, file size: 326 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Head & shoulders image of Menzies Campbell MP photographed during visit to Brent in September 2006. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 433 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (634 × 877 pixel, file size: 326 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Head & shoulders image of Menzies Campbell MP photographed during visit to Brent in September 2006. ... Sir Walter Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC (born 22 May 1941), commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British politician and retired sprinter. ... For the Canadian ice hockey player, see Dave Cameron. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... Chris Huhne, Sir Menzies Campbell and Simon Hughes at the hustings at the Friends Meeting House in London on 23 February 2006. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Nick Robinson (right) interviewing Michael Portillo in July 2001. ... Sir Walter Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC (born 22 May 1941), commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British politician and retired sprinter. ...

Despite a barrage of negative press attention over Kennedy's departure, the leaderless party pulled off a spectacular electoral shock by winning the Dunfermline and West Fife seat from Labour in a by-election in February 2006. This was viewed as a particular blow for Gordon Brown, who lives in the constituency, represents the adjacent seat, and was featured prominently in the campaign. Dunfermline and West Fife is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For others with the same or similar names, see Gordon Brown (disambiguation). ...

Sir Menzies subsequently won the leadership contest, defeating rivals Chris Huhne and Simon Hughes, a race that saw Mark Oaten withdraw at an early stage due to a lack of support, Simon Hughes come under attack regarding deception about his sexuality and Chris Huhne accused live on The Daily Politics of attempting to rig polls. After Oaten had dropped out, it emerged that he had had a relationship with a rent boy. Christopher Murray Paul Huhne, known as Chris Huhne, (born 2 July 1954) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire. ... Simon Hughes. ... Mark Oaten Mark Oaten (born 8 March 1964, Watford) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom, and Member of Parliament for the Winchester constituency. ... Simon Hughes. ... Christopher Murray Paul Huhne, known as Chris Huhne, (born 2 July 1954) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire. ... The Daily Politics is a British Television show launched by the BBC in 2003. ...

Despite taking second place in the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election, overtaking Labour, opinion poll trends since Campbell assumed the leadership have shown support for the Liberal Democrats to have declined to less than 20%.^[30] Bromley and Chislehurst is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ...

In July 2007, Sir Menzies announced that they wish to cut the basic rate of income tax from 20p per pound to 16p per pound. This would be the lowest rate of income tax since 1916 and would be funded using green taxes and allowing money made from UK properties by non-UK residents to be eligible for Capital Gains Tax.^[31] Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For all other forms of taxation, see tax Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        A capital gains...

Campbell resigned as leader on 15 October 2007; the announcement was made from the steps of Cowley Street by Party President Simon Hughes. Vince Cable became acting leader of the Liberal Democrats until a leadership election could be held.^[32] Cable received significant acclaim during his tenure as acting party leader, with particular praise for his strong performances at Prime Minister's Questions, during the Northern Rock crisis, HMRC's loss of child benefit data, and the Donorgate funding scandal.^[33] is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Vincent Cable Dr (John) Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943, York) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist. ... The 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election is being held following the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell as leader on 15 October 2007, after 19 months as leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) (officially Questions to the Prime Minister) is a constitutional convention in the United Kingdom, where every Wednesday when the House of Commons is sitting the Prime Minister spends half an hour answering questions from Members of Parliament (MPs). In Canada, this convention is known as... Northern Rock (LSE: NRK) is a British bank based at Regent Centre near Newcastle Upon Tyne in northern England. ... Ensign of HM Revenue & Customs Her Majestys Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is a new department of the British Government created by the merger of the Inland Revenue and Her Majestys Customs and Excise which came into formal effect on 18 April 2005. ... The 2007 UK child benefit data misplacement occurred in October 2007, when two computer discs owned by Her Majestys Revenue and Customs containing data relating to child benefit went missing. ... Donorgate is the colloquial name for the political scandal involving the British Labour Party in November and December 2007, when it was discovered that, contrary to legislation passed during the Blair Government, the Party had been receiving significant financial donations made anonymously via third parties. ...

Clegg (2007-present)

Nick Clegg, current party leader

On December 18, 2007 it was announced that Nick Clegg had won the leadership election, becoming the party's fourth permanent leader and the third in two years. Clegg won the leadership with a narrow majority of just 511 votes (1.2%) over his only opponent Chris Huhne in the poll of party members.^[34] He is the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam, and was an MEP for the East Midlands from 1999 to 2004.^[35] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Christopher Murray Paul Huhne, known as Chris Huhne, (born 2 July 1954) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Sheffield Hallam is a Parliamentary constituency covering the south west portion of the City of Sheffield, England. ... A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP)[1] is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... East Midlands is a constituency of the European Parliament. ...

In his acceptance speech upon winning the leadership contest, Clegg declared himself to be "a liberal by temperament, by instinct and by upbringing" and that he believes "Britain [is] a place of tolerance and pluralism". He declared his priorities as: defending civil liberties; devolving the running of public services to parents, pupils and patients; and protecting the environment.^[36]

Electoral results

In United Kingdom general elections from 1992, the Liberal Democrats have succeeded the Liberal-SDP Alliance and Liberal Party as the third most popular grouping or party behind Labour and the Conservatives. The party initially declined slightly from successes achieved by the Alliance, however it has now steadily risen in seat count for a decade to its current peak of 63 seats, despite never quite achieving the popular vote success of the Alliance; this has been largely credited to improved skill at targeting vulnerable seats.^[24] The Alliance vote percentage in 1987 and the Liberal Democrat percentage in 2005 is comparable, yet the Liberal Democrats won 62 seats to their predecessor's 22 (the House of Commons has 646 seats. This is a list of United Kingdom general elections since 1802. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... The House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also includes the Sovereign and the House of Lords. ...

The British first past the post electoral system is not suited to parties whose vote is evenly divided across the nation, where their vote is less than a third of the vote. This results in those parties achieving a lower proportion of seats in the House of Commons than their proportion of the popular vote, and the Liberal Democrats and their forerunners have suffered in particular.^[37] This was especially true in 1983 and 1987 when their popular electoral support was greatest; their increase in the number of seats in 1997 and 2001 is attributed to the weakness of the Conservative Party, and the success of the Lib Dem election strategist Lord Rennard, who's focused the party's resources on key winnable constituencies.^[24] The UK general election, 1983 was held on June 9, 1983 and gave the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945. ... Margaret Thatcher David Steel Election 1987 Titles The United Kingdom general election of 1987 was held on 11 June 1987 and was the third consecutive victory for the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005. ... An example of a plurality ballot. ... Christopher John Chris Rennard, Baron Rennard (born 1960) is a British Liberal Democrat politician. ...

The Liberal Democrats have generally performed better in local elections, and are a more significant force in local government: 27 councils are under Liberal Democrat majority control, and the party is in joint control of many others. They have generally performed more poorly in elections to the European Parliament: for example in local elections on 10 June 2004, the Lib Dem national share of the vote was 29% (giving them second place, ahead of Labour) but only 15% in the simultaneous European elections (putting them in fourth place behind the United Kingdom Independence Party). Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Elections to the European Parliament were held from June 10, 2004 to June 13, 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom. ... The United Kingdom Independence Party (commonly known as UKIP, pronounced //) is a British political party. ...

They were coalition partners with Labour in the Scottish Parliament from its establishment in 1999 until 2007, when the Scottish National Party took power, and were also in coalition with Labour in the National Assembly for Wales from 2001 to 2003. A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a cabinet in parliamentary government in which several parties cooperate. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... The Scottish National Party (SNP) (Scottish Gaelic: is a centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence. ... Lib-Lab Pact has been the term used to describe a working arrangement between the UKs political parties of the Liberals (later Liberal Democrats) and the Labour Party. ... Established 1999 by the Government of Wales Act 1998 Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas AM (Plaid) Since May 12, 1999 Deputy Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM (Lab) Leader of the House Carwyn Jones AM (Lab) Chief Executive and Clerk to the Assembly Claire Clancy Political parties 6 Welsh Labour (26...

In the 2006 local elections across England, the Lib Dems beat Labour into second place on the national share of the vote gained when they won 27% of the vote. However, this only resulted in a net gain of two Councillors. The Liberal Democrats continued to make gains from Labour in many northern cities. The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ...

Structure

The Liberal Democrats are a central federal party comprising the state parties of Wales, Scotland and England, with around 72,000 affiliated members in total. Scotland and England are further split into regional parties. There are also Specified Associated Organisations (SAOs), representing particular groupings such as Ethnic Minorities (EMLD), Women (WLD), LGBT people (Delga), Youth & Student (LDYS, recently renamed Liberal Youth), Trade Unionists (ALDTU), Engineers & Scientists (ALDES), Parliamentary Candidates (PCA) and local councillors (ALDC) which formally review and input to party policy. Other groups can become Associated Organisations (AOs) as pressure groups in the party. One group notable by their omission are the Liberal Clubs (NULC), this may be because many liberal working-men's clubs formed in the 1800s have broken their ties with politics, or gone over to the more working-class based Labour Party. A map displaying todays federations. ... Delga is the LGBT organisation of the British Liberal Democrats political party, the full name being Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Action. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... PCA may stand for: Pacific Coast Academy (Zoey 101) Parti Communiste Algérien (Algerian Communist Party) Partido Comunista de Andalucía (Communist Party of Andalusia) Partido Comunista de Aragón (Communist Party of Aragon) Partido Comunista de la Argentina (Communist Party of Argentina) Pacific Coast Academy, the fictional school in... A councillor is a member of a council (such as a city council), particularly in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other parts of the Commonwealth. ...

The Parliamentary Parties Рin the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Рform semi-autonomous units within the party. The leaders in the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament are the leaders of the federal party and of the Scottish Party; the leaders in the other two chambers, and the officers of all parliamentary parties, are elected from their own number. Type Lower House Speaker Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Leader Harriet Harman, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader Theresa May, (Conservative) since May 5, 2005 Members 659 Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn F̩in... This article is about the British House of Lords. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ...

The Liberal Democrats, like the Conservatives, organise in Northern Ireland; unlike the Conservatives, the Lib Dems do not contest elections in the province. Instead, they have opted to work with the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, with the de facto agreement that the Liberal Democrats will support the Alliance Party in elections. Many individuals, including several notable parliamentarians and Alliance Party leader David Ford, hold membership of both parties. Alliance members of the House of Lords take the Liberal Democrat whip on non-Northern Ireland issues, and the Alliance Party maintains a stall at Liberal Democrat party conferences. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), is a political party operating in Northern Ireland. ... for the Canadian Kayaker see David Ford (kayaker) for the English musician see David Ford (musician) David Ford is a Northern Ireland politician. ... This article is about the British House of Lords. ... In politics, a whip is a member of a political party in a legislature whose task is to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. ... ...

The Liberal Democrats are a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and their 12 MEPs form part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group in the European Parliament. Liberal International is a political international for international liberal parties. ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 49 national liberal and centrist parties from across Europe. ... ALDE logo The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour lEurope) is a Group in the European Parliament. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild...

Internal factions

Liberal Democrats can be classified into two main factions:

Social liberals have dominated the party since its formation in 1988. Drawing inspiration from David Lloyd George, William Beveridge and John Maynard Keynes, individuals from this wing are advocates of the welfare state, higher taxation, and of government regulation to protect consumers, employees and the environment. Support for civil liberties and human rights is also fundamental. Examples of social liberals in the modern party include Paul Holmes, Norman Baker and Simon Hughes. Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, OM, PC (17 January 1863 – 26 March 1945) was a British statesman who was Prime Minister throughout the latter half of World War I and the first four years of the subsequent peace. ... William Henry Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge (5 March 1879 – 16 March 1963) was a British economist and social reformer. ... Keynes redirects here. ... There are three main interpretations of the idea of a welfare state: the provision of welfare services by the state. ... Civil liberties is the name given to freedoms that protect the individual from government. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... Paul Holmes MP Paul Robert Holmes (born 16 January 1957) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ... Norman John Baker (born 26 July 1957 in Aberdeen) is a British politician. ... Simon Hughes. ...

The market liberal or libertarian wing of the party shares with social liberals a belief in basic civil and political freedoms (negative freedoms). However, whereas social liberals further argue that the state should provide additional social and economic rights to its citizens (positive freedoms), market liberals take a non-interventionist approach and are critical of government's ability to increase freedom. This often manifests itself as support for greater economic freedom, causing some tension between the two wings of the party. Many MPs from this wing contributed to the Orange Book (2004), a collection of essays intended to spark debate on a greater role for free-market liberalism in party policy. Some party donors, elements of the media and many non-urban elected party officials are known to back this wing of the party.^[38] Leading market liberals in the parliamentary party include Vince Cable, David Laws and Nick Clegg. As a market-emphasized descendant of classical liberalism, market liberalism advocates full freedom of markets, without e. ... See also Libertarianism and Libertarian Party Libertarian,is a term for person who has made a conscious and principled commitment, evidenced by a statement or Pledge, to forswear violating others rights and usually living in voluntary communities: thus in law no longer subject to government supervision. ... The philosophical concept of negative liberty refers to an individuals liberty from being subjected to the authority of others. ... Positive liberty refers to the opportunity and ability to act to fulfill ones own potential, as opposed to negative liberty, which refers to freedom from restraint. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vincent Cable Dr (John) Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943, York) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist. ... David Anthony Laws (born 30 November 1965) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ... Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ...

It would be easy, but misleading, to characterise these two wings of the party as consisting of former SDP members and former Liberal Party members respectively. Many prominent social liberals (including Paddy Ashdown) were former Liberal MPs, and some prominent market liberals (such as Vincent Cable) came to the Liberal Democrats from the SDP. Membership of these two wings is unrelated to former party affiliation, and the more ideological features of the wings could be said to have been stronger in the pre-1988 constituent parties. Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941), commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician. ... Vincent Cable Dr (John) Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943, York) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist. ...

Leaders of the Liberal Democrats

See also List of United Kingdom Liberal Democrat leaders

		Portrait	Entered office	Left office	Date of Birth
1.1	David Steel 1		7 July 1987	16 July 1988	31 March 1938
1.2	Robert Maclennan 2		6 August 1987	16 July 1988	26 June 1936
2	Paddy Ashdown		16 July 1988	9 August 1999	27 February 1941
3	Charles Kennedy		9 August 1999	7 January 2006	25 November 1959
4	Sir Menzies Campbell 3		2 March 2006	15 October 2007	22 May 1941
	Vincent Cable 4		15 October 2007	18 December 2007	9 May 1943
5	Nick Clegg		18 December 2007	–present	7 January 1967

• ¹ Joint interim leader, as the last leader of the Liberal Party before the merger.
• ² Joint interim leader, as the last leader of the Social Democratic Party before the merger.
• ³ Interim leader between the resignation of Charles Kennedy on 7 January 2006 and his own election as leader on 2 March 2006.
• ⁴ Interim leader between the resignation of Menzies Campbell on 15 October 2007 and the election of a new leader on 18 December 2007.

Further information: Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election, 1988

Further information: Liberal Democrats leadership election, 1999

Further information: Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2006

Further information: Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2007

The Liberal Democrat members elect the United Kingdom Liberal Democrat leader. ... David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE, PC (born 31 March 1938) is a British and Scottish politician and a Liberal Democrat member of the UK House of Lords. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Robert Adam Ross Maclennan, Baron Maclennan of Rogart, PC (born June 26, 1936), educated at Balliol College, Oxford, is a British Liberal Democrat politician. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC, (born 27 February 1941), commonly known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician. ... Image File history File links Paddy_Ashdown_1. ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Charles Kennedy, see Charles Kennedy (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir Walter Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC (born 22 May 1941), commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British politician and retired sprinter. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 433 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (634 × 877 pixel, file size: 326 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Head & shoulders image of Menzies Campbell MP photographed during visit to Brent in September 2006. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... Vincent Cable Dr (John) Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943, York) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist. ... If you hold the copyright to an image (e. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nicholas William Peter Clegg, known as Nick Clegg, (born 7 January 1967) is the British Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The 1988 Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election was called following the formation of the then Social and Liberal Democrats (later shortening their name to Liberal Democrats). It was intended to replace the two interim leaders, David Steel and Robert Maclennan, with a single figurehead better able to represent both... The 1999 Liberal Democrats leadership election was called following the resignation of Paddy Ashdown as leader. ... Chris Huhne, Sir Menzies Campbell and Simon Hughes at the hustings at the Friends Meeting House in London on 23 February 2006. ... The 2007 Liberal Democrats leadership election is being held following the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell as leader on 15 October 2007, after 19 months as leader of the Liberal Democrats, the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. ...

Deputy Leaders of the Liberal Democrats

• Russell Johnston, 1988–1992
• Alan Beith, 1992–2003
• Sir Menzies Campbell, 2003–2006
• Vincent Cable, 2006–present

Further information: Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election, 2003

Further information: Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election, 2006

The Right Honourable David Russell Johnston, Baron Russell-Johnston, PC (born July 28, 1932) is a leading Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. ... Alan Beith The Right Honourable Alan James Beith April 20, 1943) British politician, and the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed. ... Sir Walter Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC (born 22 May 1941), commonly known as Ming Campbell, is a British politician and retired sprinter. ... Vincent Cable Dr (John) Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943, York) is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist. ... The 2003 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election took place in February 2003, following the decision by the incumbent, Alan Beith to stand down. ... The 2006 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election began on March 2, 2006 when the sitting Deputy Leader Sir Menzies Campbell was elected leader of the party. ...

Leaders of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament

• Graham Watson, 1994–2002 (elected President of the ELDR Group)
• Diana Wallis, 2002–2004
• Chris Davies, 2004–2006
• Diana Wallis, 2006–2007 (appointed Vice-President of the European Parliament)
• Andrew Duff, 2007–present

The Liberal Democrats did not have representation in the European Parliament prior to 1994. Graham Watson (born 23 March 1956) is a Member of the European Parliament for South West England for the Liberal Democrats. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 49 national liberal and centrist parties from across Europe. ... Diana Paulette Wallis (born 28 June 1954) is a Member of the European Parliament for the Liberal Democrats for Yorkshire and the Humber since 1999. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Chris Davies, MEP Christopher Graham Chris Davies (born 7 July 1954 in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Diana Paulette Wallis (born 28 June 1954) is a Member of the European Parliament for the Liberal Democrats for Yorkshire and the Humber since 1999. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... Andrew Duff (born 25 December 1950) is a Liberal Democrat politician and a Member of the European Parliament for the East of England region of the UK. He initially stood in the European Parliament election, 1984 coming third with 22. ...

Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team

Further information: Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team

The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. ...

See also

This is a list of Liberal Democrat MPs. ... Liberal Democrat Leaders in the UK House of Lords 1988-1997 Roy Jenkins, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead 1997-2001 Bill Rodgers, Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank 2001-2004 Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby 2004- Tom McNally, Lord McNally Category: ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ... Contributions to liberal theory is a partial list of individual contributions on a worldwide scale. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... This is an overview of parties that adhere more or less (explicitly) to the ideas of political liberalism and is therefore a list of liberal parties around the world. ... Liberal democracy is a form of government. ... This article gives an overview of liberalism in the United Kingdom. ... Liberal Democrat Youth and Students (LDYS) are the youth and student group of the UK Liberal Democrats. ... The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum is an association within the Liberal Democrats that aims to promote Christianity within the party and the party to other Christians. ... The United Kingdom is a unitary state and a democratic constitutional monarchy. ... For theological federalism, see Covenant Theology. ... Community politics is a movement in British politics to re-engage people with political action on a local level. ... EARS, the Election Agents Retrieval System, is a piece of electoral software used primarily by the Liberal Democrats to record canvassing statistics, plan polling day action and predict election results using the Richmond formula. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... The Glee Club is a traditional event in the Liberal Assembly and UK Liberal Democrat party conference, consisting of a public singing around a piano. ... The Land is a protest song, traditionally sung by the Georgist movement in pursuit and promotion of Land Value Taxation. ... The Beveridge Group is a centre-left ginger group within the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. It was set up in 2001 by MPs Alistair Carmichael, Paul Holmes, John Barrett and John Pugh to promote debate within the party regarding public service provision. ... Charter88 is a British pressure group that advocates constitutional and electoral reform and owes its origins to the lack of a written constitution in the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ...

References

This article concerns the British newspaper. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The chart proposed by the Political Compass Organization A political compass or political diamond is a multi-axis model used to label or organize political thought on several dimensions. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Guardian Unlimited is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Guardian Unlimited is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Guardian Unlimited is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article concerns the British newspaper. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Guardian Unlimited is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Guardian Unlimited is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Liberal Democrats official site
• Liberal Democrats official videos, including party political broadcasts, on YouTube

A party political broadcast, also known as a party election broadcast, is a short television or radio broadcast made by a political party. ... YouTube is a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. ...

State Parties

• Scottish Liberal Democrats
• Welsh Liberal Democrats

Party sub-organisations

• Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors
• Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidates Association
• London Assembly Liberal Democrats
• Gloucester Liberal Democrats
• Delga: Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality
• Liberal Democrat Youth & Students
• Liberal International British Group
• The Beveridge Group
• Liberal Democrats Online
• Liberal Democrat Christian Forum

Historical information

• Liberal Democrat History Group
• An archive of Liberal/SDP/Liberal Democrat electoral manifestos from 1900-present

Category listings

• Liberal Democrats at the Open Directory Project
• Yahoo! Liberal Democrat Party

The Open Directory Project (ODP), also known as dmoz (from , its original domain name), is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links owned by Netscape that is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors. ...

Miscellaneous

• An overview of upcoming Liberal Democrat meetings around the country
• Liberal Democrats in Business
• Guardian Unlimited Politics – Special Report: Liberal Democrats
• The Liberal International British Group
• Liberal Democrats and Software patents
• Liberator – a British liberal publication
• Lord Bonkers' Liberal Satire from Rutland
• Liberal Review, a review of Liberal Democrat blogs and media
• Lib Dem Blogs, an aggregator of Liberal Democrat blogs
• Liberal Democrat Image, for official party merchandise