1988-2010
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‘Dead Parrot’ document
The 'Dead Parrot' became the nickname of the policy document due to be issued, alongside the new party's constitution, at the successful culmination of merger negotiations between the SDP and the Liberals. In fact it proved a disaster, nearly upsetting the whole merger process, after its controversial contents were disowned by Liberal MPs and activists…
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The Liberal Democrats
The merger of the Liberals and the SDP was finally completed on 3 March 1988, when the new Social & Liberal Democrats (SLD) was formally launched following a majority vote by the memberships of both parties.
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Report: Election 2005 in historical perspective
with John Curtice, Andrew Russell and Chris Rennard.
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Disappointment or bridgehead?
Liberal Democrat performance in the 2005 election.
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From Labour love-in to bona fide party of opposition
Liberal Democrat voting in the House of Commons 1992-2003.
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The Liberal Party and general elections
Report of Liberal Democrat History Group meeting of February 2003, with David Butler and Neil Stockley.
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The 2001 election
Examination of the Liberal Democrat performance in the election of 7 June 2001, with lessons for the party’s future strategy.
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The 2005 general election
Reviews of Andrew Geddes & Jonathan Tonge (eds.), Britain Decides The UK General Election 2005 (Palgrave, 2005), John Bartle & Anthony King (eds.), Britain at the Polls 2005 (CQ Press, 2005), Dennis Kavanagh & David Butler, The British General Election of 2005 (Palgrave, 2005), Pippa Norris & Christopher Wlezien (eds.), Britain Votes 2005 (Oxford University…
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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.