Liberal Democrats (UK)
The Liberal Democrats ("Lib Dems") are a politically liberal and social democratic political party based in the United Kingdom.The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the Liberal Party, and the short lived Social Democratic Party, (the two parties had already been in an alliance for some years). At the time of the merger, in 1988, the party was named the Social and Liberal Democrats (SLD). It changed to the current name in October 1989.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Politics and Policies 3 Leaders of the Liberal Democrats, 1988-Present 4 Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet 5 External Link |
In recent United Kingdom general elections they have emerged
the third most popular party
behind Labour and the Conservatives.
In most elections, the Liberal Democrats (or their precursor alliance) have gained between 15%-25% of the national vote. At the most recent general election in 2001 the party gained 18.3% of the national vote, and 52 Liberal Democrats were elected to parliament. Owing to the operation of the first past the post electoral system,
the number of MPs they gained was disproportionately small
especially in the years in which their popular electoral support was greatest.
The Liberal Democrats have generally performed better in local elections, and are a more significant force in local government,
with 27 councils under Liberal Democrat majority control,
and Lib Dems in joint control of many others.
They are coalition partners with Labour
in the Scottish Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats (and the precursor Liberal party) have traditionally been seen as the centrist party of British politics, however with Tony Blair's re-positioning of the Labour Party to the centre. Many now view the Lib Dems as being the most left-wing of Britain's mainstream parties, they however often deny that they are either left or right wing.
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". To this end:
The Liberal Democrats are a member party of the Liberal International.
See also:
(As of November 2003)
Electoral results
Politics and Policies
Policies
They are currently led by Charles Kennedy.
He replaced Paddy Ashdown, who had become leader in 1988.
The party's first (interim) leaders were David Steel
(who had been leader of the Liberals since 1976)
and Robert Maclennan (who had become SDP leader in August 1987).Leaders of the Liberal Democrats, 1988-Present
Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet
External Link
