Liberal Democrats

Leader

Nick Clegg

Founded

1988

Ideology

Social liberalism

Background

The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) were formed in 1988 by the merger of the Liberal Party and the short-lived Social Democratic Party, and was initially led by David Steel and Robert Maclennan.

In late1988, Paddy Ashdown became leader, and support for the party grew steadily, becoming a major force in local government throughout the 1990's. When Ashdown resigned in 1999, he was replaced by Charles Kennedy, who led the party to gain their highest number of seats at Westminster: 52 in the 2001 election, increasing to 62 in 2005.

The party has a strong commitment to social justice, social provision and the welfare state. They are opposed to the undemocratic concentration of power in unaccountable bodies, and seek to decentralise power from Westminster into the hands of the people.

Contact Details

www.libdems.org.uk