The two parties then merged, and renamed the social and liberal democrats, shortened to the democrats and then changing again to the liberal democrats in 1989.
Significant Past MP’s
Sir H Campbell-Bannerman, H H Asquith, W E Gladstone, Earl of Rosebery, David Steel, Kennedy
Fundamental ‘Traditional’ Political Ideology
Liberalism: the belief in the importance of individual freedom.
Social liberalism: a reformulation of 19th century liberalism which rests on the view that unrestrained capitalism is a hindrance to true freedom.
Market liberalism: combining free market economy with personal liberty and human rights
Social democracy: This is the political ideology of the political left. It is a belief in the primacy of political action.
Enviromentalism: a broad philosophy and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the state of the environment.
They also want to give power to the people.
Current Policy Pledges
They are offering a more disciplined government, as this will help regain a strong economy but in a steady progressive manner. They also guarantee to protect the existing pensions. In addition they are going to reform the tax system, especially by not taxing anyone who earns below £10,000 pa. They also want to make sure that young people are able to get jobs after they have finished qualifications at college or university. Also they would like to be able to fund more places at universities for students, by re-increasing the VAT charges, and using that for funding.
Key Points from leaders speech at past party conference
- Getting more university places available for young students
- To change the tax system
- Going to protect the pension schemes
- Going to find the unemployed productive work
- Trying to reduce wages for the higher paid members, in order for the lower paid people to keep their jobs
Traditional Supporters- type and location
Middle class citizens tend to support the Liberal Democrat political party, as well as those who would like to have more of a say within politics as well as what happens to them as citizens.
