DOCSLIB.ORG

25 Years of the Liberal Democrats

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
25 Years of the Liberal Democrats For the study of Liberal, SDP and Issue 83 / Summer 2014 / £9.00 Liberal Democrat history Journal of LiberalHI ST O R Y 25 years of the Liberal Democrats Mark Pack The Liberal Democrat approach to campaigning Matt Cole The importance of local government to the Liberal Democrats David Howarth The Liberal Democrats and the functions of policy Duncan Brack Liberal Democrat leadership The four leaders analysed Andrew Russell Who votes for the Liberal Democrats? Sources of electoral support Liberal Democrat History Group New from the Liberal Democrat History Group The Dictionary of Liberal Quotations ‘A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future.’ (Leonard Bernstein) ‘I am for peace, retrenchment and reform, the watchword of the great Liberal Party thirty years ago.’ (John Bright) ‘Few organisations can debate for three days whether to stage a debate, hold a debate, have a vote and then proceed to have a debate about what they have debated. But that is why the Liberal Democrats hold a special place in the British constitution.’ (Patrick Wintour) Edited by Duncan Brack, with a foreword from Paddy Ashdown. Writers, thinkers, journalists, philosophers and politicians contribute nearly 2,000 quotations, musings, provocations, jibes and diatribes. A completely revised and updated edition of the History Group’s second book (published originally in 1999), this is the essential guide to who said what about Liberals and Liberalism. Available at a special discounted rate for Journal of Liberal History subscribers: £10 instead of the normal £12.99. To order by post, send a cheque (to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) for the cover price plus postage and packing at the rate of £2 per copy. Orders should be sent to: LDHG, 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN. The best single-volume study available of British Liberalism and British Liberals Peace, Reform and Liberation ‘This new volume, taking a long view from the later seventeenth century to the Cameron-Clegg coalition of today, is a collective enterprise by many hands … This is an excellent book.’ Kenneth O. Morgan, Cercles ‘I had not expected to enjoy this book as much as I did, or to learn as much from it.’ William Wallace, Lib Dem Voice ‘The editors and their fourteen authors deserve congratulation for producing a readable one-volume history of Liberal politics in Britain that is both erudite but perfectly accessible to any reader interested in the subject.’ Mark Smulian, Liberator Edited by Robert Ingham and Duncan Brack, with a foreword from Nick Clegg. Written by academics and experts, drawing on the most recent research, Peace, Reform and Liberation is the most comprehensive and most up-to-date guide to the story of those who called themselves Liberals, what inspired them and what they achieved over the last 300 years and more. An essential source for anyone interested in the contribution of Liberals and Liberalism to British politics. Available at a special discounted rate for Journal of Liberal History subscribers: £24 instead of the normal £30. To order, send a cheque (to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) for the cover price plus postage and packing at the rate of £4 for one copy; £7 for two copies; £9 for three copies; and add £1 for each further copy. Orders should be sent to: LDHG, 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN. 2 Journal of Liberal History 83 Summer 2014 Journal of Liberal History Issue 83: Summer 2014 The Journal of Liberal History is published quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group. ISSN 1479-9642 The Liberal Democrats: the first 25 years 4 Editor: Duncan Brack Duncan Brack and Mark Pack introduce this special issue of the Journal. Deputy Editor: Tom Kiehl Assistant Editor: Siobhan Vitelli Biographies Editor: Robert Ingham The Liberal Democrat approach to campaigning 6 Reviews Editor: Dr Eugenio Biagini Mark Pack examines the evolution of the party’s campaigning techniques and Contributing Editors: Graham Lippiatt, Tony Little, structures York Membery Can the Grand Old Duke of York march back up 16 Patrons Dr Eugenio Biagini; Professor Michael Freeden; again? Professor John Vincent The importance of local government to the Liberal Democrats; by Matt Cole Editorial Board The Liberal Democrats and the functions of 24 Dr Malcolm Baines; Dr Ian Cawood; Dr Matt Cole; policy Dr Roy Douglas; Dr David Dutton; Prof. David Gowland; Prof. Richard Grayson; Dr Michael Hart; Peter Hellyer; David Howarth explores the different roles played by policy and policy- Dr Alison Holmes; Dr J. Graham Jones; Dr Tudor Jones; making within the party Tony Little; Michael Meadowcroft; Dr Michael Steed; Dr Mark Pack; Dr Ian Packer; Dr John Powell; Jaime Liberal Democrat leadership 34 Reynolds; Dr Andrew Russell; Dr Iain Sharpe Duncan Brack describes the key characteristics of Liberal Democrat leaders, and analyses the record of the four leaders to date Editorial/Correspondence Contributions to the Journal – letters, articles, and book reviews – are invited. The Journal is a refereed Report 45 publication; all articles submitted will be reviewed. The progressive coalition that never was: lessons from the Ashdown–Blair Contributions should be sent to: ‘project’, with Paddy Ashdown, Roger Liddle and Pat McFadden; report by Duncan Brack (Editor) Douglas Oliver 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN email: [email protected] Who votes for the Liberal Democrats? 48 All articles copyright © Journal of Liberal History. All Sources of electoral support; by Andrew Russell rights reserved. Liberal Democrats in coalition: the Scottish 56 Advertisements record Full page £100; half page £60; quarter page £35. Discounts available for repeat ads or offers to readers Caron Lindsay examines the record of the Liberal Democrat–Labour coalitions (e.g. discounted book prices). To place ads, please in Scotland, 1999–2007 contact the Editor. Going into Labour: the Welsh Liberal Democrat 62 Subscriptions/Membership coalition experience 2000–2003 An annual subscription to the Journal of Liberal History costs £20.00 (£12.50 unwaged rate). This includes Russell Deacon examines the record of the Liberal Democrat–Labour coalition membership of the History Group unless you inform in Wales, 2000–2003 us otherwise. Non-UK subscribers should add £10.00. Institutional rate £50.00, including online access. As well as printed copies, online subscribers can access online copies of current and past Journals. Online subscriptions are available to individuals at £40.00. Cheques (payable to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) should be sent to: Patrick Mitchell 6 Palfrey Place, London SW8 1PA; email: [email protected] Liberal Democrat History Group Payment is also possible via our website, www.liberalhistory.org.uk. The Liberal Democrat History Group promotes the discussion and research of topics relating to the histories of the Liberal Democrats, Liberal Party, and SDP, and of Liberalism. The Cover design concept: Lynne Featherstone Group organises discussion meetings and produces the Journal of Liberal History and other Published by the Liberal Democrat History Group, occasional publications. c/o 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN For more information, including historical commentaries, details of publications, back issues Printed by Kall-Kwik, of the Journal, and archive and other research sources, see our website at: 18 Colville Road, London W3 8BL www.liberalhistory.org.uk. August 2014 Chair: Tony Little Honorary President: Lord Wallace of Saltaire Journal of Liberal History 83 Summer 2014 3 THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAts: thE First 25 YEARS n 3 March 2013, the Lib- On 3 March special issue of the Journal of Liberal party’s campaigning techniques eral Democrats marked History, but rather than simply tell and structures. Otheir twenty-fifth birth- 2013, the the story chronologically, we have Although the Liberal Demo- day. The story of the party since aimed to identify the key factors in crats have never managed to win 1988 has been a dramatic one, from Liberal the party’s survival and success, at as much as 10 per cent of Parlia- near-extinction, through a failed least up until entry into coalition. mentary constituencies, they have realignment of the left, a period of Democrats First, the party’s campaign- been much more successful at local rapidly changing leaders, and then ing ability. As noted above, from level. The Liberal Party had built into government, for the first time marked their 1997 onwards the Liberal Demo- up its local strength to almost 1,500 for a third party for sixty years. crats have managed to win signifi- councillors by the time the SDP The Liberal Democrat History twenty-fifth cantly greater numbers of seats than was formed in 1983; the Alliance Group’s history of British Liber- birthday. their predecessor parties, often on took this to over 3,500 by 1987. For alism, Peace, Reform and Liberation smaller shares of the national vote. most of the lifetime of the Liberal (published in 2011; see advert on This has been the outcome of a Democrats, the party has had over page 2), analysed the history of the combination of intensive local cam- 4,000 councillors, briefly topping Liberal Democrats in six phases: paigning – both contributing to 5,000 in 1996–97, 22 per cent of the survival, 1988–92; an attempt to and reinforced by local government UK total. Local Liberal Democrats realign the left, 1992–99; a return success – an increasing targeting of have had a focus for their efforts to more traditional protest politics, resources on winnable seats and a and, in most areas, a taste of elec- 1999–2005; a period of instability, steadily more professional organi- toral success and a demonstration including two leadership elections, sation. Parliamentary by-elections of the way in which effective cam- 2005–07; the search for a definition have also helped, and sometimes paigning and organisation can lead in the wake of the disintegration of proved vital, to the party’s national to results.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Spice Briefing
    MSPs BY CONSTITUENCY AND REGION Scottish SESSION 1 Parliament This Fact Sheet provides a list of all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who served during the first parliamentary session, Fact sheet 12 May 1999-31 March 2003, arranged alphabetically by the constituency or region that they represented. Each person in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs – 1 constituency MSPs: Historical MSP and 7 regional MSPs. A region is a larger area which covers a Series number of constituencies. 30 March 2007 This Fact Sheet is divided into 2 parts. The first section, ‘MSPs by constituency’, lists the Scottish Parliament constituencies in alphabetical order with the MSP’s name, the party the MSP was elected to represent and the corresponding region. The second section, ‘MSPs by region’, lists the 8 political regions of Scotland in alphabetical order. It includes the name and party of the MSPs elected to represent each region. Abbreviations used: Con Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Green Scottish Green Party Lab Scottish Labour LD Scottish Liberal Democrats SNP Scottish National Party SSP Scottish Socialist Party 1 MSPs BY CONSTITUENCY: SESSION 1 Constituency MSP Region Aberdeen Central Lewis Macdonald (Lab) North East Scotland Aberdeen North Elaine Thomson (Lab) North East Scotland Aberdeen South Nicol Stephen (LD) North East Scotland Airdrie and Shotts Karen Whitefield (Lab) Central Scotland Angus Andrew Welsh (SNP) North East Scotland Argyll and Bute George Lyon (LD) Highlands & Islands Ayr John Scott (Con)1 South of Scotland Ayr Ian
    [Show full text]
  • Reports to Conference
    Reports to Conference Spring Conference 2016 REPORTS TO CONFERENCE SPRING 2016 Contents Federal Conference Committee ........................................................... 2 Federal Policy Committee .................................................................... 6 Federal Executive .............................................................................. 10 Federal Finance & Administration Committee .................................... 18 Parliamentary Party Report (Commons) ............................................ 22 Parliamentary Party Report (Lords) ................................................... 24 Parliamentary Party Report (Europe) ................................................. 28 Diversity Engagement Group ............................................................. 31 Campaign for Gender Balance .......................................................... 35 Federal Appeals Panel ...................................................................... 38 Federal Conference Committee Bournemouth 2015 Last autumn we held our conference in Bournemouth. This proves to be one of the more popular venues we visit with 88% of members rating it as an excellent or good venue for an autumn conference. We asked attendees how they felt about the earlier finish time on the final day. 60% of those that responded said they preferred the earlier finish time with only 9% saying they preferred to break for lunch. Next autumn we are trialing greater use of the weekend (see below for details). We will continue to ask all attendees
    [Show full text]
  • Oswestry, Hay-On-Wye and Berwick-Upon-Tweed: Football Fandom, Nationalism and National Identity Across the Celtic Borders
    Oswestry, Hay-on-Wye and Berwick-upon-Tweed: Football fandom, nationalism and national identity across the Celtic borders Robert Bevan School of Welsh Cardiff University 2016 This thesis is submitted to the School of Welsh, Cardiff University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD. All rights reserved. 1 Form: PGR_Submission_2014 NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF THESIS FORM: POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH APPENDIX 1: Specimen layout for Thesis Summary and Declaration/Statements page to be included in a Thesis DECLARATION This work has not been submitted in substance for any other degree or award at this or any other university or place of learning, nor is being submitted concurrently in candidature for any degree or other award. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 1 This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of ………………………… ( PhD) Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 2 This thesis is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by explicit references. The views expressed are my own. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 3 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available online in the University’s Open Access repository and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 4: PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BAR ON ACCESS I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available online in the University’s Open Access repository and for inter-library loans after expiry of a bar on access previously approved by the Academic Standards & Quality Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Special Historic Section 0 What the General Election Numbers Mean - Michael Steed 0 Runners and Riders for Next Leader
    0 Liberator at 50 - special historic section 0 What the general election numbers mean - Michael Steed 0 Runners and Riders for next leader Issue 400 - April 2020 £ 4 Issue 400 April 2020 SUBSCRIBE! CONTENTS Liberator magazine is published six/seven times per year. Commentary.............................................................................................3 Subscribe for only £25 (£30 overseas) per year. Radical Bulletin .........................................................................................4..5 You can subscribe or renew online using PayPal at ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END ............................................5 You’ll soon by seeing Liberator only as a free PDF, not in print. Here, the Liberator our website: www.liberator.org.uk Collective explains why, and how this will work Or send a cheque (UK banks only), payable to RUNNERS AND RIDERS .........................................................................6..7 “Liberator Publications”, together with your name Liberator offers a look at Lib Dem leadership contenders and full postal address, to: NEVER WASTE A CRISIS .......................................................................8..9 Be very afraid, even when coronavirus is over, about what the government will seize Liberator Publications the opportunity to do, says Tony Greaves Flat 1, 24 Alexandra Grove GET LIBERALISM DONE .....................................................................10..11 London N4 2LF The answers to the Liberal Democrats’ plight can all be found in the party’s
    [Show full text]
  • Nicol Stephen Speech to Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2008
    Nicol Stephen Speech to Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2008 As we meet here in Aviemore we have good reasons to be confident. In Nick Clegg an outstanding new leader, with an inspirational first conference speech determined to double our number of MPs at Westminster And in our MPs the strongest team of powerful campaigners. To one of whom I give special mention today. He gave exceptional leadership at a time when our party needed it the most. Menzies Campbell has given huge commitment to this party and we give him our heartfelt thanks. At Holyrood, we now have five new MSPs – a young, positive, dynamic team and most spectacular of all our outstanding success in Dunfermline for Jim Tolson MSP – until this week the biggest earthquake we had seen for a generation. Reasons to be confident And none more so than our growing strength in local government Those Labour fiefdoms swept away after decades of one party rule. Now 13 councils with Liberal Democrats in government And some of Scotland’s most important councils led by Liberal Democrats the great cities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen; Aberdeenshire council all led by Liberal Democrats Our councillors do a fantastic job. We should thank all 167 of them for all that they have done - and do - to build the strength of our party. The biggest reason of all for our confidence and optimism is an enduring one. It is about what unites us all It is about liberalism The rights of the individual, decentralising power, fighting for communities standing up against injustice freedom, fairness, honesty the great values of liberal democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • Welsh Liberal Democrats Want Wales to Stay in the EU Because We Are Fighting for a Stronger Economy — Thousands of Welsh Jobs Are Linked to Our Trade with the EU
    Welsh Liberal Democrats want Wales to stay in the EU because we are fighting for a stronger economy — thousands of Welsh jobs are linked to our trade with the EU Our manifesto for European Parliament elections 2014 Applicability: This manifesto contains Welsh Liberal Democrat policy. Contents Page 04 Introduction 00 06 Wales in Europe 01 08 Jobs: In Europe, in work 02 14 Crime and justice: Fighting cross-border crime, 03 defending your rights abroad 18 The environment: Protecting the environment 04 and creating green growth 24 The financial system: Building a stronger and 05 fairer economy 28 Consumer rights: A better, fairer deal 06 for consumers 32 Agriculture, rural development and fisheries: 07 A more sustainable future for rural communities and businesses 36 Europe and the world: Stronger together in a 08 changing world 40 European Union membership and reform: 09 Yes to European Union membership, yes to reform 44 Fairness and opportunity: Promoting people, 10 education and free movement 48 The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats 11 for Europe 50 Our Candidates 12 IN EUROPE IN WORK 3 Introduction The EU is vital for Wales’ prosperity, ensuring that neither law enforcement sustainability and security. Only the Welsh nor civil liberties stop at our borders. Liberal Democrats have the courage and Labour and the Tories are split over conviction to say so. Our message is loud Britain’s membership of the EU and have and clear: we are the party of IN. Do embroiled us in endless arguments about you want to vote for a party that will lead whether we should be in or out.
    [Show full text]
  • Parliament Code A
    GMC000603-0001 15-28 January 2010 29927597 Parliament Council Now medicai ~ ~actice Contents The GMC in Parliament The GMC in Out of hours care is high on the pofitical agenda Parliament The Conservative Party introduced a House of Commons debate on out News and views of hours care on 27 January 2010. During the three and a half hour debate there were several mentions of the GMC and in particular our Medical education ability to test the language skills and competency of foreign doctors. Appointments The public affairs team provided a briefing to the Conservative Party on the GMC’s position on the language and skills testing of doctors. Future events and Shadow Health Minister Mark Simmonds MP quoted from our briefing party conferences during the debate, reflecting our concerns that "the current legal framework is unsatisfactory" and "the current system does not adequately safeguard patients". The Liberal Democrats published a series of proposals for reform to the out of hours care system and the employment of overseas doctors on 27 January 2010. These called for a language and competence test for doctors from the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to register with the GMC and for EEA regulators to immediately notify each other of fitness to practise incidents which lead to action being taken against a healthcare professional. Paul Philip recently met the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Norman Lamb MP, to discuss issues relating to language testing and overseas doctors. Liberal Democrats comment on Wakefield case Following the announcement of the finding of fact in the GMC Fitness to For further Practise Panel hearing of Dr Wakefield, Dr Walker-Smith and Dr Murch, information please Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb MP contact: commented that the impact of Dr Wakefield’s conduct on public health has been "deeply damaging" and that public confidence in the vaccine must now be re-built.
    [Show full text]
  • The Government and Politics of Wales Questions for Discussion and Case Studies
    Government and Politics of Wales – Teaching Support Material Chapter 6 1 The Government and Politics of Wales Questions for discussion and case studies Chapter 6 – The National Assembly and the Law‐making Process Pages 115–38, Author Russell Deacon Teacher’s guide – in conjunction with the text book Timing: Students should read the relevant chapter before undertaking the exercise questions and case studies, and discuss their answers. There are answer note suggestions behind all questions. The questions can be undertaken in class or at home with questions/answers and activities being undertaken in the classroom. The material is teaching material and NOT specifically material for answering examination questions. Tutor guide: Tutors should familiarise themselves with the text, questions and answers before undertaking the activities in the classroom. For any unfamiliar terms an extensive glossary of key terms is provided on pages 206–22 of the book. The questions and case studies do not cover all of the material in the chapters. If tutors wish to cover this, they will need to set additional stimulus questions. Tutors and students may also wish to add material not provided in either the suggested answers or the text to the answers. Welsh politics is constantly changing, so answers provided now may well alter as these changes take place. The questions for discussion and the case studies are found at the end of each chapter. The suggested answers and some ideas for teaching these are provided on the following pages. Tutors should seek to draw these answers from the students and also discuss their merits.
    [Show full text]
  • Nations and Regions: the Dynamics of Devolution
    Nations and Regions: The Dynamics of Devolution Quarterly Monitoring Programme Devolution and the Centre Quarterly Report February 2003 by Guy Lodge The monitoring programme is jointly funded by the ESRC and the Leverhulme Trust 1 Contents Contents Key Points 1 Devolution and Westminster 1.1 House of Lords Debate on the Constitution 1.2 New Breakaway Conservative Party 1.3 House of Lords Constitution Committee 1.4 Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill 1.5 Parliamentary Questions to the Wales Office 1.6 The Work of the Territorial Select Committees 1.7 The Work of the Grand Committees 1.8 Select Committee on the Lord Chancellor’s Department 1.9 Minority Party Representation on Select Committees 1.10 Barnett Formula 1.11 House of Lords Reform 2 Devolution and Whitehall 2.1 Edwina Hart accuses Whitehall of obstructing National Assembly 2.2 Helen Liddell Announces Decision on MSP Numbers 2.3 The Future of the Territorial Offices 3 Intergovernmental Relations 3.1 Meeting of JMC (Europe) 3.2 British-Irish Council Summit 3.3 Meeting of the British-Irish Council Environment Group 3.4 Meeting of the British-Irish Council Drugs Group 3.5 UK Government and the Devolved Bodies Launch the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Consultation 2 Key Points • Assembly Finance Minister Edwina Hart criticises Whitehall civil servants • Lord Norton debate on the British Constitution in the House of Lords • Helen Liddell announces that the number of MSPs will remain at 129 in the outcome of the consultation on the size of the Scottish Parliament. • House of Lords Constitution Committee publishes Devolution: Inter- Institutional Relations in the United Kingdom • House of Lords debate on the Barnett Formula • Second Reading and Committee Stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill • Seven options for Lords Reform fail to gain a majority.
    [Show full text]
  • Getting Started with Blogging: a Guide for Liberal Democrats
    Getting started with blogging: a guide for Liberal Democrats Edited by Mark Pack, co-editor, Lib Dem Voice (www.LibDemVoice.org) Introduction ................................................................................... 2 What‟s the best blogging platform for new bloggers? by Mat Bowles (matgb.dreamwidth.org) .................................................................... 4 Where to get ideas for posts by Mark Thompson (markreckons.blogspot.com) ...... 8 Blogging style and etiquette by Jonathan Calder (liberalengland.blogspot.com) .. 11 How to handle comments by Paul Walter (liberalburblings.co.uk) ................... 13 Context is king – link for victory by Alex Foster (www.alexfoster.me.uk)........... 15 How to increase your blog‟s readership by Mark Pack (www.MarkPack.org.uk) .... 17 How to blog successfully as a councillor by Mary Reid (www.maryreid.org.uk) .... 20 Why bloggers should tweet by Charlotte Gore (www.charlottegore.com) .......... 22 If a gobby barmaid from Yorkshire can do it, anyone can by Jennie Rigg (miss-s-b.dreamwidth.org) ................................................................. 24 Why blog? by Alix Mortimer (fabulousblueporcupine.wordpress.com) ............... 27 Introduction by Mark Pack In the run-up to Christmas 2009, Liberal Democrat Voice ran a series of “how to” posts about political blogging written by a range of different Liberal Democrat bloggers. As befits a diverse range of liberals, not all of the authors agree fully on all the issues touched on in the series, but that diversity was a strength – because there isn‟t only one way to blog or only one way to blog „correctly‟. We‟ve now gathered slightly updated versions of the posts together in this e-book. Whether you are thinking of starting your own blog, a novice blogger or an old hand I hope you find this guide useful.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Arguments Within Welsh Labour
    Citation for published version: Moon, DS 2016, ''We’re Internationalists, not Nationalists’: the political ramifications of Welsh Labour’s internal power struggle over the ‘One Wales’ coalition in 2007', Contemporary British History, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 281-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/13619462.2015.1099439 DOI: 10.1080/13619462.2015.1099439 Publication date: 2016 Document Version Peer reviewed version Link to publication This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Contemporary British History on 2016, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13619462.2015.1099439 University of Bath Alternative formats If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact: [email protected] General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 24. Sep. 2021 ‘We’re Internationalists, not Nationalists’: the political ramifications of Welsh Labour’s internal power struggle over the ‘One Wales’ coalition in 2007 Abstract The bitter arguments within the Labour Party in Wales in 2007 preceding its agreement to enter coalition with Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly have faced little substantive analysis, and the specific behind-closed-doors debates at the special conference held to vote on the deal have remained undisclosed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scottish Parliament Election
    The Scottish Parliament Election Report 3 May 2007 and Analysis The Scottish Parliament Election Report and 3 May 2007 Analysis The Scottish Parliament Election 3 May 2007 3 Preface The 2007 election produced a Parliament that Although the Electoral Reform Society would like broadly reflected the views of Scottish voters. to see the Scottish Parliament elected using the While the number of rejected ballot papers was Single Transferable Vote (STV) method, as was a serious cause for concern, it should not di- the case for the local government elections, the vert attention from an election in which the ac- Additional Member System (AMS) has given tual system worked tolerably well. No Scottish Scotland a representative Parliament. The mi- party had the support of anything like a major- nority SNP administration that has been formed ity of voters, and as a consequence, no party will need to seek the support of the other parties now has anything approaching a majority of in order to enact legislation, and that will ensure the seats. If the First-Past-the-Post system that decisions taken reflect the views of a much (which we still use to elect our MPs), had been higher proportion of voters than would otherwise used, Labour would have won an outright ma- have been the case – very much in keeping with jority of seats, despite only having had the sup- the four founding principles of devolution: the port of little more than 30 per cent of voters. sharing of power, accountability, openness and equal opportunities. This report has been prepared by Dr Martin Steven, Research Officer for ERS Scotland, with contributions from Christine McCartney and David Orr, and additional assistance from Ashley Dé, Dr Ken Ritchie, Amy Rodger, George Sheriff and Laura Woods.
    [Show full text]