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).

Internal Factions

Broadly speaking, Liberal Democrats can be classified into two main political factions:

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Social liberals have dominated the party since its formation in 1988. Drawing inspiration from the likes of David Lloyd George, William Beveridge and John Maynard Keynes, individuals from this wing of the party are keen advocates of the welfare state and of government regulation to protect consumers, employees and the environment. As with any form of liberalism, support for civil liberties and human rights are also key to the social liberal outlook. Modern examples of social liberals within the parliamentary party include Menzies Campbell, Paul Holmes and Norman Baker.

Related Topics:
Social liberals - David Lloyd George - William Beveridge - John Maynard Keynes - Welfare state - Civil liberties - Human rights - Menzies Campbell - Paul Holmes - Norman Baker

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The libertarian wing of the party share with the social liberals a belief in freedom. However, whereas the social liberals often argue in favour of positive liberty (using the power of the state to enhance the freedoms of its citizens), libertarians take a laissez-faire approach to the economy which emphasises negative liberty. This often manifests itself as support for greater economic freedom, causing some tension between the two wings of the party. The two leading libertarians within the modern party are Mark Oaten and Vincent Cable. Many commentators have argued that the senior positions held by these two MPs has led to a 'rightwards' shift in Lib Dem thinking in recent years, though it should be noted that party leader Charles Kennedy (and the majority of the party membership) are closer to the social liberal position.

Related Topics:
Libertarian - Positive liberty - Negative liberty - Economic freedom - Mark Oaten - Vincent Cable - Charles Kennedy

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It is easy to characterise these two wings of the party as consisting of former SDP members and former Liberal Party members respectively. However, many prominent social liberals (including Menzies Campbell and Paddy Ashdown) were actually former Liberal MPs, whereas the two most prominent libertarians (Mark Oaten and Vincent Cable) both came to the Liberal Democrats from the SDP.

Related Topics:
Menzies Campbell - Paddy Ashdown - Mark Oaten - Vincent Cable

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