Liberal Democrats (UK)

The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a social liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. The party was formed in 1988 by the merger of the Liberal Party and the short lived Social Democratic Party (the two parties had already been in an alliance for some years).

Electoral results

In post-war United Kingdom general elections they have emerged as the third most popular party behind Labour and the Conservatives. In most recent elections, the Liberal Democrats (or their precursor Alliance) have gained between 15% and 25% of the national vote.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom general elections - Labour - Conservatives

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The British first past the post electoral system does not reward parties whose vote is evenly divided across the nation with many seats in Parliament, and the Liberal Democrats and their forerunners have suffered in particular. This was especially true in 1983 and 1987 when their popular electoral support was greatest; their increase in the number of seats in 1997 and 2001 was largely due to the weakness of the Conservative Party in the later elections.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Liberal Democrats have generally performed better in local elections, and are a more significant force in local government, with 27 councils under Liberal Democrat majority control, and Lib Dems in joint control of many others. They have generally performed more poorly in elections to the European Parliament: for example in elections on 10 June 2004, the LibDem national share of the vote was 29% (giving them second place, ahead of Labour) in the local elections that day but only 15% in the simultaneous European elections (putting them in fourth place behind the United Kingdom Independence Party).

Related Topics:
European Parliament - 10 June - 2004 - European elections - United Kingdom Independence Party

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They have been coalition partners with Labour in the Scottish Parliament since its re-establishment in 1999, and were also in coalition with Labour in the National Assembly for Wales from 1999 to 2003.

Related Topics:
Scottish Parliament - 1999 - Coalition - National Assembly for Wales - 2003

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~