Journal of Liberal History

The Liberals were the first party to argue for British participation in the European Common Market, in 1956. Support for membership of the European Economic Community was one the main drivers behind the formation of the SDP in 1981. Since the two parties merged, Britain’s destiny as part of the European Union has been a core value for the Liberal Democrats.

The British people have twice been asked to decide whether they should be ‘in or out’ of Europe. In 1975, Jeremy Thorpe and other leading Liberals played a key role in the successful ‘Yes to Europe’ campaign and seized the opportunity to build the party’s profile. They and social democrats in the Labour Party enjoyed working together and saw the potential for future collaboration.

In 2016, the Liberal Democrats were the strongest supporters of the Remain campaign in the Brexit referendum. Two days after the result, the party leader Tim Farron promised to fight the next election on the basis that the UK would be better off inside the EU. Later, the party enthusiastically backed the ‘People’s Vote’ campaign for a second referendum on the final Brexit deal.

Discuss the Liberals’ and Liberal Democrats’ involvement in cross-party campaigns for Europe with Dr Robert Saunders (Queen Mary, University of London and author, Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum and Seventies Britain), Morgan Jones (author of a forthcoming book on the post-2016 People’s Vote campaign) and Dr Nicholas Alderton (Welsh historian and author, Deputy Editor, Journal of Liberal History).

Those unable to attend in person will be able to view the meeting via Zoom. Registration will open nearer the time – please check back later. For those attending in person, there is no need to register.