Widely regarded as one of the Liberal Party’s best political thinkers and practitioners, Michael Meadowcroft became the party’s local government officer in 1962 at a time when the party’s local government base was low and shrinking. Elected to Leeds City Council in 1968 he served on the council until winning Leeds West at the 1983 general election. Out of parliament but President elect of the Liberal Party in 1988, Meadowcroft opposed merger with the SDP and left to lead a “continuing’ Liberal Party. He rejoined the Liberal Democrats in 2007.