Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter begins by looking at long-term support in elections and in the polls for the Liberal Democrats, to see how it has evolved over the last half-century or so. This provides a context within ...
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This chapter begins by looking at long-term support in elections and in the polls for the Liberal Democrats, to see how it has evolved over the last half-century or so. This provides a context within which to judge the party’s future electoral prospects. The analysis of trends in Liberal Democrat voting intentions over a thirty-year period shows that the competitive situation between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is significantly greater than the competitive situation between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. It also shows that the party has to wait for its main rivals to make political mistakes and lose support before it can profit by winning over voters. This is described as the political equivalent of ‘waiting for Godot’, meaning that the Liberal Democrats are not the masters of their own electoral fate.Less
This chapter begins by looking at long-term support in elections and in the polls for the Liberal Democrats, to see how it has evolved over the last half-century or so. This provides a context within which to judge the party’s future electoral prospects. The analysis of trends in Liberal Democrat voting intentions over a thirty-year period shows that the competitive situation between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is significantly greater than the competitive situation between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. It also shows that the party has to wait for its main rivals to make political mistakes and lose support before it can profit by winning over voters. This is described as the political equivalent of ‘waiting for Godot’, meaning that the Liberal Democrats are not the masters of their own electoral fate.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines the role of the Liberal Democrat Party members in influencing voting behaviour in the 1997 general elections. Debates in literature about the importance of campaigns in ...
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This chapter examines the role of the Liberal Democrat Party members in influencing voting behaviour in the 1997 general elections. Debates in literature about the importance of campaigns in elections are reviewed. To evaluate the impact of Liberal Democrat campaign activity on the election, it is important to take into account the campaign activities of its main rivals, Labour and the Conservatives. This is done using data from a survey of Labour party members conducted in 1997, together with local campaign spending data for all three parties. The results suggest that local campaigning plays a very important role in influencing the Liberal Democrat vote.Less
This chapter examines the role of the Liberal Democrat Party members in influencing voting behaviour in the 1997 general elections. Debates in literature about the importance of campaigns in elections are reviewed. To evaluate the impact of Liberal Democrat campaign activity on the election, it is important to take into account the campaign activities of its main rivals, Labour and the Conservatives. This is done using data from a survey of Labour party members conducted in 1997, together with local campaign spending data for all three parties. The results suggest that local campaigning plays a very important role in influencing the Liberal Democrat vote.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines the social and demographic profiles as well as the political attitudes of Liberal Democrat party members, drawing upon an earlier study of Liberal Democrat party to identify ...
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This chapter examines the social and demographic profiles as well as the political attitudes of Liberal Democrat party members, drawing upon an earlier study of Liberal Democrat party to identify changes in their profiles during the 1990s. Comparisons are made between the social backgrounds of party members and those of Liberal Democrat voters to determine what differences, if any, exist between the two types of party supporters. Activism within the party and whether there is any evidence of a decline in participation in recent years are analyzed. The evidence suggests that while many party members are active, there has been a decline in party activism over time and a weakening of the ties between the party and its members.Less
This chapter examines the social and demographic profiles as well as the political attitudes of Liberal Democrat party members, drawing upon an earlier study of Liberal Democrat party to identify changes in their profiles during the 1990s. Comparisons are made between the social backgrounds of party members and those of Liberal Democrat voters to determine what differences, if any, exist between the two types of party supporters. Activism within the party and whether there is any evidence of a decline in participation in recent years are analyzed. The evidence suggests that while many party members are active, there has been a decline in party activism over time and a weakening of the ties between the party and its members.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This introductory chapter begins with a brief history of the British Liberal Democrat Party, followed by an examination of the evolution of its policy goals over time. The Liberal Democrat Party was ...
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This introductory chapter begins with a brief history of the British Liberal Democrat Party, followed by an examination of the evolution of its policy goals over time. The Liberal Democrat Party was founded in 1988 from a merger of two hitherto independent but allied parties: the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party. The former had existed in different forms for more than 300 years, whereas the latter emerged from a split in the Labour Party in 1981. An overview of the chapters included in this volume is presented.Less
This introductory chapter begins with a brief history of the British Liberal Democrat Party, followed by an examination of the evolution of its policy goals over time. The Liberal Democrat Party was founded in 1988 from a merger of two hitherto independent but allied parties: the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party. The former had existed in different forms for more than 300 years, whereas the latter emerged from a split in the Labour Party in 1981. An overview of the chapters included in this volume is presented.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines the political prospects of the Liberal Democrat Party. The big question is whether or not it can replace its rivals as the second, or even the first, party of British electoral ...
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This chapter examines the political prospects of the Liberal Democrat Party. The big question is whether or not it can replace its rivals as the second, or even the first, party of British electoral politics. It begins with an analysis of the necessary conditions for the Liberal Democrats to replace one of the other parties as the second party of British politics. This leads into an examination of the likelihood that these conditions will be met in the foreseeable future. The evidence suggests that the party has a real opportunity to break the existing two-party hegemony at a general election in 2009 or 2010.Less
This chapter examines the political prospects of the Liberal Democrat Party. The big question is whether or not it can replace its rivals as the second, or even the first, party of British electoral politics. It begins with an analysis of the necessary conditions for the Liberal Democrats to replace one of the other parties as the second party of British politics. This leads into an examination of the likelihood that these conditions will be met in the foreseeable future. The evidence suggests that the party has a real opportunity to break the existing two-party hegemony at a general election in 2009 or 2010.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter begins by examining if there is evidence that a set of belief structures underlies the attitudes of party members. This is followed by an analysis of the sources of ideological ...
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This chapter begins by examining if there is evidence that a set of belief structures underlies the attitudes of party members. This is followed by an analysis of the sources of ideological variations in the grassroots party, paying particular attention to the social characteristics of members, as well as their political experiences and political roots. It is shown that there is a distinctive set of principles underlying Liberal Democrat political ideology. The ideology centres around individual freedom and tolerance in relation to lifestyle issues, a belief in redistribution and social equality, a commitment to free markets and a positive attitude to internationalism, as exemplified by members’ views of the European Union (EU).Less
This chapter begins by examining if there is evidence that a set of belief structures underlies the attitudes of party members. This is followed by an analysis of the sources of ideological variations in the grassroots party, paying particular attention to the social characteristics of members, as well as their political experiences and political roots. It is shown that there is a distinctive set of principles underlying Liberal Democrat political ideology. The ideology centres around individual freedom and tolerance in relation to lifestyle issues, a belief in redistribution and social equality, a commitment to free markets and a positive attitude to internationalism, as exemplified by members’ views of the European Union (EU).
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This book examines the recovery of the British Liberal Democrat Party, emphasizing the role of the grassroots party members in shaping this recovery. A number of factors have contributed to the ...
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This book examines the recovery of the British Liberal Democrat Party, emphasizing the role of the grassroots party members in shaping this recovery. A number of factors have contributed to the party’s resurgence, including the performances of its main rivals, the Conservative and Labour parties, and the decline in partisan attachments throughout the entire electorate. However, evidence shows that the grassroots party has played the decisive role in bringing this about. The key players are the men and women who joined the party as members, and then actively worked on its behalf by campaigning or standing in local and national elections when the political climate was cold. A major focus of the book is to examine these people. The future electoral prospects for the party are also discussed, including the question of whether or not it can replace its rivals as the second, or even the first, party of British electoral politics.Less
This book examines the recovery of the British Liberal Democrat Party, emphasizing the role of the grassroots party members in shaping this recovery. A number of factors have contributed to the party’s resurgence, including the performances of its main rivals, the Conservative and Labour parties, and the decline in partisan attachments throughout the entire electorate. However, evidence shows that the grassroots party has played the decisive role in bringing this about. The key players are the men and women who joined the party as members, and then actively worked on its behalf by campaigning or standing in local and national elections when the political climate was cold. A major focus of the book is to examine these people. The future electoral prospects for the party are also discussed, including the question of whether or not it can replace its rivals as the second, or even the first, party of British electoral politics.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines the pathways to Liberal Democrat Party membership. The recruitment process is discussed, followed by what it means for the average respondent to be a party member. The key issue ...
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This chapter examines the pathways to Liberal Democrat Party membership. The recruitment process is discussed, followed by what it means for the average respondent to be a party member. The key issue of why people join the party is then considered. In examining motives for joining, two theoretical models of political participation are utilized: the civic voluntarism model and the general incentives model. Both resources and choices are important in explaining why people join the party. Members have more resources in the sense of higher incomes, better educational attainments, and higher status class characteristics than voters, but incentives are also important for influencing the decision to join the party. Thus, both models appear to be relevant in explaining why people join.Less
This chapter examines the pathways to Liberal Democrat Party membership. The recruitment process is discussed, followed by what it means for the average respondent to be a party member. The key issue of why people join the party is then considered. In examining motives for joining, two theoretical models of political participation are utilized: the civic voluntarism model and the general incentives model. Both resources and choices are important in explaining why people join the party. Members have more resources in the sense of higher incomes, better educational attainments, and higher status class characteristics than voters, but incentives are also important for influencing the decision to join the party. Thus, both models appear to be relevant in explaining why people join.
Paul Whiteley, Patrick Seyd, and Antony Billinghurst
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199242825
- eISBN:
- 9780191604140
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199242828.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter examines grassroots activism in the Liberal Democrat Party. The results suggest that party activism can be explained by a combination of the individual’s psychological engagement with ...
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This chapter examines grassroots activism in the Liberal Democrat Party. The results suggest that party activism can be explained by a combination of the individual’s psychological engagement with both politics and the party, together with their judgements about the costs and benefits of political engagement. Resources play a role in this, but it appears that incentives, and the choices associated with them, are particularly important in influencing the individual’s decision to be active.Less
This chapter examines grassroots activism in the Liberal Democrat Party. The results suggest that party activism can be explained by a combination of the individual’s psychological engagement with both politics and the party, together with their judgements about the costs and benefits of political engagement. Resources play a role in this, but it appears that incentives, and the choices associated with them, are particularly important in influencing the individual’s decision to be active.
Anthony F. Heath, Roger M. Jowell, and John K. Curtice
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780199245116
- eISBN:
- 9780191599453
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199245118.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
The authors analyse the long process of modernization of the Labour party that had its origins in Neil Kinnock's period as a leader of the party between 1983 and 1992 and that culminated in Labour's ...
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The authors analyse the long process of modernization of the Labour party that had its origins in Neil Kinnock's period as a leader of the party between 1983 and 1992 and that culminated in Labour's victory in the 1997 general election. Heath, Jowell, and Curtice draw the conclusion that on the non‐economic issues such as disarmament, Europe, and devolution, Tony Blair's New Labour was merely a continuation of Neil Kinnock's policy. It was Neil Kinnock not Tony Blair who had made the radical break with Labour's recent past. However, on economic issues New Labour made a clearer break with its Old Labour inheritance—on nationalization, unions, government spending, and taxation, New Labour adopted many Thatcherite precepts. The decisive move of New Labour towards the centre on the economic issues, did have major electoral benefits because it squeezed the Liberal Democrats’ share of the vote on the centre‐left, but it also captured ground on the centre‐right from the Conservatives. New Labour's move to the centre also disrupted the usual patterns of vote‐switching; more Conservatives than usual switching directly to Labour rather than to the Liberal Democrats.Less
The authors analyse the long process of modernization of the Labour party that had its origins in Neil Kinnock's period as a leader of the party between 1983 and 1992 and that culminated in Labour's victory in the 1997 general election. Heath, Jowell, and Curtice draw the conclusion that on the non‐economic issues such as disarmament, Europe, and devolution, Tony Blair's New Labour was merely a continuation of Neil Kinnock's policy. It was Neil Kinnock not Tony Blair who had made the radical break with Labour's recent past. However, on economic issues New Labour made a clearer break with its Old Labour inheritance—on nationalization, unions, government spending, and taxation, New Labour adopted many Thatcherite precepts. The decisive move of New Labour towards the centre on the economic issues, did have major electoral benefits because it squeezed the Liberal Democrats’ share of the vote on the centre‐left, but it also captured ground on the centre‐right from the Conservatives. New Labour's move to the centre also disrupted the usual patterns of vote‐switching; more Conservatives than usual switching directly to Labour rather than to the Liberal Democrats.
Craig Berry
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719084881
- eISBN:
- 9781781701850
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719084881.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter on the Liberal Democrats enables inquiry into whether liberalism in general, rather than its neoliberal offspring, is a stronger influence on globalisation discourse. The focus is on the ...
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This chapter on the Liberal Democrats enables inquiry into whether liberalism in general, rather than its neoliberal offspring, is a stronger influence on globalisation discourse. The focus is on the Westminster-based national leadership. It focuses attention on the individuals most influential on the party's foreign economic policy stance and on British political culture more generally. It is also the case that the most relevant documents were published and indeed authored by the party headquarters in Westminster. This chapter shows that the globalisation concept clearly resonated with many of the Liberal Democrats' commitments in relation to foreign economic policy—particularly free trade, economic freedom and the marketplace and multilateralism.Less
This chapter on the Liberal Democrats enables inquiry into whether liberalism in general, rather than its neoliberal offspring, is a stronger influence on globalisation discourse. The focus is on the Westminster-based national leadership. It focuses attention on the individuals most influential on the party's foreign economic policy stance and on British political culture more generally. It is also the case that the most relevant documents were published and indeed authored by the party headquarters in Westminster. This chapter shows that the globalisation concept clearly resonated with many of the Liberal Democrats' commitments in relation to foreign economic policy—particularly free trade, economic freedom and the marketplace and multilateralism.
Edward Fieldhouse, Jane Green, Geoffrey Evans, Jonathan Mellon, Christopher Prosser, Hermann Schmitt, and Cees van der Eijk
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198800583
- eISBN:
- 9780191840074
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198800583.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
In 2015 the Liberal Democrats won 8.1 per cent of the vote, only a third of what they managed five years earlier, making it their worst performance since 1970. As a result, they faced almost complete ...
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In 2015 the Liberal Democrats won 8.1 per cent of the vote, only a third of what they managed five years earlier, making it their worst performance since 1970. As a result, they faced almost complete electoral wipe-out, winning only eight seats, losing forty-nine of the fifty-seven they had won in 2010. Two years later in 2017, the Liberal Democrats hoped that they might ride an anti-Brexit wave to recovery. Instead, the Liberal Democrats only made a net gain of four seats and lost a further half point of vote share. In this chapter we explore the reasons behind the 2015 collapse and failure to recover in 2017. We argue that the answer lies in the party’s involvement in the 2010–15 coalition government. As a result of coalition, many left-leaning Liberal Democrat voters deserted the party and as their support plummeted they also lost tactical voters because of the damage to their electoral viability.Less
In 2015 the Liberal Democrats won 8.1 per cent of the vote, only a third of what they managed five years earlier, making it their worst performance since 1970. As a result, they faced almost complete electoral wipe-out, winning only eight seats, losing forty-nine of the fifty-seven they had won in 2010. Two years later in 2017, the Liberal Democrats hoped that they might ride an anti-Brexit wave to recovery. Instead, the Liberal Democrats only made a net gain of four seats and lost a further half point of vote share. In this chapter we explore the reasons behind the 2015 collapse and failure to recover in 2017. We argue that the answer lies in the party’s involvement in the 2010–15 coalition government. As a result of coalition, many left-leaning Liberal Democrat voters deserted the party and as their support plummeted they also lost tactical voters because of the damage to their electoral viability.
Elizabeth Evans
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719083471
- eISBN:
- 9781781702277
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719083471.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This book provides an exploration of women's representation and the third party in UK politics. Based on extensive research, it is a comprehensive gendered analysis of the Liberal Democrats and the ...
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This book provides an exploration of women's representation and the third party in UK politics. Based on extensive research, it is a comprehensive gendered analysis of the Liberal Democrats and the research highlights specific institutional factors within the Liberal Democrats that directly impact upon the party's low number of women MPs. The book explores the extent to which the party's ideology, culture and organisation are dominated by a prevailing masculine bias and questions why the Liberal Democrats continue to overwhelmingly return white, middle-aged, male MPs to Westminster. It highlights a number of findings: the Liberal Democrats' low number of women MPs is due to demand rather than supply; the party have not selected a sufficient number of women in winnable or target seats; the lack of women MPs undermines the party's pro-women policies; and women's interests have not been mainstreamed within the Liberal Democrats. Together, these conclusions address substantive questions regarding the Liberal Democrats' numerical under-representation of women MPs and the extent to which they can act for and symbolically represent women. The book demonstrates the importance of using gender as a tool for analysing the culture, organisation and political recruitment of British political parties. Its contribution lies in the empirical findings and its ability to address wider conceptual debates.Less
This book provides an exploration of women's representation and the third party in UK politics. Based on extensive research, it is a comprehensive gendered analysis of the Liberal Democrats and the research highlights specific institutional factors within the Liberal Democrats that directly impact upon the party's low number of women MPs. The book explores the extent to which the party's ideology, culture and organisation are dominated by a prevailing masculine bias and questions why the Liberal Democrats continue to overwhelmingly return white, middle-aged, male MPs to Westminster. It highlights a number of findings: the Liberal Democrats' low number of women MPs is due to demand rather than supply; the party have not selected a sufficient number of women in winnable or target seats; the lack of women MPs undermines the party's pro-women policies; and women's interests have not been mainstreamed within the Liberal Democrats. Together, these conclusions address substantive questions regarding the Liberal Democrats' numerical under-representation of women MPs and the extent to which they can act for and symbolically represent women. The book demonstrates the importance of using gender as a tool for analysing the culture, organisation and political recruitment of British political parties. Its contribution lies in the empirical findings and its ability to address wider conceptual debates.
Evans Elizabeth
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719083471
- eISBN:
- 9781781702277
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719083471.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
The Liberal Democrats are the UK's third party at Westminster: they currently have fifty-seven MPs, less than 10 percent of the House of Commons. Despite the fact that they are currently in coalition ...
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The Liberal Democrats are the UK's third party at Westminster: they currently have fifty-seven MPs, less than 10 percent of the House of Commons. Despite the fact that they are currently in coalition government with the Conservatives, their third party status is reflected in the relative lack of attention paid to the party, hence less is known about the party's organisation, policies and personnel compared to the Labour and the Conservative parties. This introductory chapter establishes both the national and international context within which the themes of this book — the descriptive, substantive, and symbolic representation of women by the Liberal Democrats — are examined. As such, it addresses five key areas: it provides a brief overview of the Liberal Democrats in respect of contemporary electoral politics in the UK; considers inter-party comparisons of women's representation; situates this research within an international context by comparing the number and percentage of Liberal Democrat women MPs with other liberal parties from Europe; outlines the main contentions of the research; and explores the various approaches to the concept of representation that underpin this study.Less
The Liberal Democrats are the UK's third party at Westminster: they currently have fifty-seven MPs, less than 10 percent of the House of Commons. Despite the fact that they are currently in coalition government with the Conservatives, their third party status is reflected in the relative lack of attention paid to the party, hence less is known about the party's organisation, policies and personnel compared to the Labour and the Conservative parties. This introductory chapter establishes both the national and international context within which the themes of this book — the descriptive, substantive, and symbolic representation of women by the Liberal Democrats — are examined. As such, it addresses five key areas: it provides a brief overview of the Liberal Democrats in respect of contemporary electoral politics in the UK; considers inter-party comparisons of women's representation; situates this research within an international context by comparing the number and percentage of Liberal Democrat women MPs with other liberal parties from Europe; outlines the main contentions of the research; and explores the various approaches to the concept of representation that underpin this study.
John Curtice
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9781526133281
- eISBN:
- 9781526138828
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9781526133281.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter tells the story of the Liberal Democrats between 2015 and 2017. It begins by describing the party’s disastrous performance in the 2015 general election and their dramatic loss of support ...
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This chapter tells the story of the Liberal Democrats between 2015 and 2017. It begins by describing the party’s disastrous performance in the 2015 general election and their dramatic loss of support from participating in the 2010 coalition government. It examines how the party under its new leader, Tim Farron, sought to capitalise on the 2016 Brexit referendum by making it a platform on which to win over those who had voted Remain. It explains why the party’s strategy failed and why, despite gaining a small number of MPs, the party saw a further decline in its vote share.Less
This chapter tells the story of the Liberal Democrats between 2015 and 2017. It begins by describing the party’s disastrous performance in the 2015 general election and their dramatic loss of support from participating in the 2010 coalition government. It examines how the party under its new leader, Tim Farron, sought to capitalise on the 2016 Brexit referendum by making it a platform on which to win over those who had voted Remain. It explains why the party’s strategy failed and why, despite gaining a small number of MPs, the party saw a further decline in its vote share.
Matt Cole
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719082535
- eISBN:
- 9781781702024
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719082535.003.0015
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter focuses on the merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to form the Liberal Democrats. The pro-merger factors in both parties emerged after the disappointing ...
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This chapter focuses on the merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to form the Liberal Democrats. The pro-merger factors in both parties emerged after the disappointing result of the 1987 general elections. Richard Wainwright foresaw this merger and he was determined to ensure that the new party embodied as much as possible of the Liberal spirit. This chapter suggests that though the merged party lacked the religious dimension of the old Liberal Party and it had different approach to policy-making, Wainwright can be considered undoubtedly a Liberal Democrat.Less
This chapter focuses on the merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to form the Liberal Democrats. The pro-merger factors in both parties emerged after the disappointing result of the 1987 general elections. Richard Wainwright foresaw this merger and he was determined to ensure that the new party embodied as much as possible of the Liberal spirit. This chapter suggests that though the merged party lacked the religious dimension of the old Liberal Party and it had different approach to policy-making, Wainwright can be considered undoubtedly a Liberal Democrat.
Evans Elizabeth
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719083471
- eISBN:
- 9781781702277
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719083471.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
To understand the Liberal Democrats' response to women's descriptive representation, one must also understand the ideology and organisation of the party. Analysis of these institutional factors will ...
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To understand the Liberal Democrats' response to women's descriptive representation, one must also understand the ideology and organisation of the party. Analysis of these institutional factors will allow us to assess the extent to which a masculine ethos pervades formal rules and informal values. This is important, because party rules and values help determine the party's response to women's lack of descriptive representation. This chapter establishes the milieu within which women and feminists can seek to influence debates surrounding women's descriptive representation within the Liberal Democrats. It explores three key arguments: ideological tensions between liberalism and feminism regarding the concept of equality have influenced the way in which the party approaches the issue of women's representation; the structure and organisation of the party are such that few women reach senior levels within the party; and the women's organisation Women Liberal Democrats has limited opportunities to influence the party leadership.Less
To understand the Liberal Democrats' response to women's descriptive representation, one must also understand the ideology and organisation of the party. Analysis of these institutional factors will allow us to assess the extent to which a masculine ethos pervades formal rules and informal values. This is important, because party rules and values help determine the party's response to women's lack of descriptive representation. This chapter establishes the milieu within which women and feminists can seek to influence debates surrounding women's descriptive representation within the Liberal Democrats. It explores three key arguments: ideological tensions between liberalism and feminism regarding the concept of equality have influenced the way in which the party approaches the issue of women's representation; the structure and organisation of the party are such that few women reach senior levels within the party; and the women's organisation Women Liberal Democrats has limited opportunities to influence the party leadership.
Meg Russell
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199671564
- eISBN:
- 9780191751776
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199671564.003.0005
- Subject:
- Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Legal History
This chapter considers the House of Lords’ membership, and the role and behaviour of its different groups. It briefly describes the key groups - Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, independent ...
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This chapter considers the House of Lords’ membership, and the role and behaviour of its different groups. It briefly describes the key groups - Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, independent Crossbenchers and bishops - and how they are organised. It then analyses attendance and voting patterns in the chamber, considering factors such as party cohesion, rebellion and the role of the whips. It also asks who are the 'pivotal voters’ or 'veto players’ in the Lords, in terms of which group(s) in practice hold the balance of power. This analysis, based on all votes in the chamber during 1999-2012, demonstrates the key role of the Liberal Democrats in inflicting defeat under Labour, and the growing importance of the Crossbenchers under the 2010 coalition government. The chapter also discusses how this delicate party balance helps create the chamber’s famous 'less political’ culture, and affects relationships between its different groups.Less
This chapter considers the House of Lords’ membership, and the role and behaviour of its different groups. It briefly describes the key groups - Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, independent Crossbenchers and bishops - and how they are organised. It then analyses attendance and voting patterns in the chamber, considering factors such as party cohesion, rebellion and the role of the whips. It also asks who are the 'pivotal voters’ or 'veto players’ in the Lords, in terms of which group(s) in practice hold the balance of power. This analysis, based on all votes in the chamber during 1999-2012, demonstrates the key role of the Liberal Democrats in inflicting defeat under Labour, and the growing importance of the Crossbenchers under the 2010 coalition government. The chapter also discusses how this delicate party balance helps create the chamber’s famous 'less political’ culture, and affects relationships between its different groups.
Matt Cole
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719082535
- eISBN:
- 9781781702024
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719082535.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This introductory chapter discusses the theme of this volume, which is British politician Richard Wainwright and his role in the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats. Wainwright joined the Party ...
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This introductory chapter discusses the theme of this volume, which is British politician Richard Wainwright and his role in the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats. Wainwright joined the Party at its lowest ebb and he helped lead its return from the wilderness when others drifted elsewhere. He also witnessed the transformation of the Party, including its alliance with the Labour Party and its alliance and merger with the Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) to form the Liberal Democrats.Less
This introductory chapter discusses the theme of this volume, which is British politician Richard Wainwright and his role in the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats. Wainwright joined the Party at its lowest ebb and he helped lead its return from the wilderness when others drifted elsewhere. He also witnessed the transformation of the Party, including its alliance with the Labour Party and its alliance and merger with the Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) to form the Liberal Democrats.
Matt Cole
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719082535
- eISBN:
- 9781781702024
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719082535.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This book offers new research on familiar themes involving loyalties of politics, faith and locality. Richard Wainwright was a Liberal MP for seventeen years during the Liberal Party's recovery, but ...
More
This book offers new research on familiar themes involving loyalties of politics, faith and locality. Richard Wainwright was a Liberal MP for seventeen years during the Liberal Party's recovery, but his life tells us about much more than this. He grew up in prosperity, but learned from voluntary work about poverty; he refused to fight in World War Two, but saw war at its cruellest; he joined the Liberal Party when most had given up on it, but gave his fortune to it; lost a by-election but caused the only Labour loss in Harold Wilson's landslide of 1966. Wainwright then played a key role in the fall of Jeremy Thorpe, the Lib-Lab Pact and the formation of the SDP-Liberal Alliance and the Liberal Democrats; he represented a unique Yorkshire constituency that reflected his pride and hope for society; and though he gave his life to the battle to be in the Commons, he refused a seat in the Lords. He is central to the story of the Liberal Party and sheds light on the reasons for its survival and the state of its prospects. At the same time, this book is a parable of politics for anyone who wants to represent an apparently lost cause, who wants to motivate people who have been neglected, and who want to follow their convictions at the highest level.Less
This book offers new research on familiar themes involving loyalties of politics, faith and locality. Richard Wainwright was a Liberal MP for seventeen years during the Liberal Party's recovery, but his life tells us about much more than this. He grew up in prosperity, but learned from voluntary work about poverty; he refused to fight in World War Two, but saw war at its cruellest; he joined the Liberal Party when most had given up on it, but gave his fortune to it; lost a by-election but caused the only Labour loss in Harold Wilson's landslide of 1966. Wainwright then played a key role in the fall of Jeremy Thorpe, the Lib-Lab Pact and the formation of the SDP-Liberal Alliance and the Liberal Democrats; he represented a unique Yorkshire constituency that reflected his pride and hope for society; and though he gave his life to the battle to be in the Commons, he refused a seat in the Lords. He is central to the story of the Liberal Party and sheds light on the reasons for its survival and the state of its prospects. At the same time, this book is a parable of politics for anyone who wants to represent an apparently lost cause, who wants to motivate people who have been neglected, and who want to follow their convictions at the highest level.