Leaders
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Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, 1836-1908
There have been four Liberals at the head of clearly Liberal governments – Gladstone, Rosebery, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Asquith. Three of them are well-known names. Yet of the four, ‘CB’ was far and away the best party leader. Only Grimond, in very different circumstances, can compare with him. Had Campbell-Bannerman not become leader in…
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Ashdown as leader
In November 2000 Paddy Ashdown published the first volume of his diaries. This article comprises two interviews with him on his period as leader.
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Campbell-Bannerman and Asquith
Analysis of the uneasy political relationship between the two Liberal leaders.
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Leader out of time
Review of Menzies Campbell, My Autobiography (Hodder & Stoughton, 2008).
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Interview: Jeremy Thorpe
Interview with the former Liberal leader.
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Biography: David Owen
The political career and record of Dr David Owen.
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On this day 27-2-1941
After a career in the Royal Marines, the Special Boat Squadron, intelligence and diplomacy, Ashdown was selected as Liberal candidate in Yeovil in 1976 and won the seat in 1983. A supporter of the Lib-Lab Pact and the Alliance with the SDP, Ashdown was elected the first leader of the merged Social and Liberal Democrats in…
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On this day 15-2-1928
After establishing a lucrative legal career, he was elected Liberal MP for East Fife in 1886. Appointed Home Secretary at 39, he was one of the few successes of the Liberal governments of 1892-5. When the Liberals returned to power, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer before succeeding Henry Campbell-Bannerman as Prime Minister and leading one…