Lib-dems

• Brief backstory: Formed in 1988

  • Merged with the Liberal Party and The Social Democratic Party
• Lib Dem: Values

  • Tolerance
  • Liberty + rights: individual freedom should be protected (liberalism)
  • Equality of opportunity: unfair advantages should be removed
  • Social justice: although capitalism is a necessity, social justice is needed
  • Constitutionalism: a strong constitution should guarantee the separation of political power
• Social liberals

  • centre left - modern liberalism
  • increase social justice through the state
  • would rather see spending on disadvantaged to reduce inequality
  • example: Tim Farron
• Orange-book liberals

  • centre leaning, classical liberalism
  • increase in social mobility through tax cutting + economic freedom
  • example: Nick Clegg
• Clegg Coalition (2010-2015)

  • Became deputy PM in 2010 alongside David Cameron
  • Lib dems were the moderators of tory policy
  • Had a role to play in helping the economy after 2008
  • Directed tories to tax cuts for poorest (raised threshold income 2009 £6,480 to 2011 £11,000)
  • Although.. they paid the price for U-turning cutting university tuition fee pledge.
  • they also lost the AV referendum 2011
  • 2015: 8 Mps vs 58 MPs in 2010
• Why was the coaltion a flop?

  • Coalition with Tories = abandonment of ideological commitments:
  • Such as illiberal values - law + order, immigration etc.
  • Such as - Conservative programme of austerity, cuts, was seen as cruel and at odds with Lib Dem supporters, who were potentially to Labour on many issues
  • Many - voted tactically - to avoid Conservatives winning
  • Lib dems positioned themselves = ‘centrist’ - idea of coalition - contradictory
  • Tuition fees
• Why has lib dem support remained low in recent years

  • 2017 saw a return to two-party politics, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbynism, Corbynism in particular captured many of the middle class voters who voted for the lib dems
  • Other small parties have emerged as alternate options (Greens)
  • SNP have become the Third Party in Westminster
  • Disproportional system continues to harm the lib dems
• Key moment of success

  • In 1992 won 20% of the vote but only 20 seats (3%)

  Managed to successfully position themselves as the Third Party of the UK, under the leadership of Charles Kennedy and in 2005 they won 62 seats