96 Autumn 2017 Journal of Liberal History Issue 96: Autumn 2017 the Journal of Liberal History Is Published Quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group
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For the study of Liberal, SDP and Issue 96 / Autumn 2017 / £7.50 Liberal Democrat history Journal of LiberalHI ST O R Y Election 2017 John Curtice The 2017 election A missed opportunity? Vince Cable Old heroes for a new leader Vince Cable’s political hero Chris Wrigley The Nonconformist mind of Lloyd George Michael Steed En Marche! A new dawn for European liberalism? Tim Bale, Monica Poletti and Paul Webb The same but different Lib Dem members in 1999 and 2015 Liberal Democrat History Group Books from the Liberal Democrat History Group British Liberal Leaders This book is the story of the leaders of the Liberal Party, the SDP and the Liberal Democrats, from Earl Grey, who led the Whigs through the Great Reform Act of 1832, to Nick Clegg, the first Liberal leader to enter government for more than sixty years. Chapters written by experts in Liberal history cover such towering political figures as Palmerston, Gladstone, Asquith and Lloyd George; those, such as Sinclair, Clement Davies and Grimond, who led the party during its darkest hours; and those who led its revival, including David Steel, Roy Jenkins and Paddy Ashdown. Interviews with recent leaders are included, along with analytical frameworks by which they may be judged and exclusive interviews with former leaders themselves. Published in 2015 as part of a series on party leaders. ‘Political leaders matter. They embody a party’s present, while also shaping its future. This is particularly important in the values-based Liberal tradition. The essays in this book provide a fascinating guide to what it took to be a Liberal leader across two centuries of tumultuous change.’ Martin Kettle, Associate Editor, The Guardian Available at a special discounted rate for Journal of Liberal History subscribers: £20 instead of the normal £25. Order via our website, www.liberalhistory.org.uk; or by sending a cheque (made out to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) to LDHG, 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN (add £3 postage and packing). Price cut! 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 detailed research, Peace, Reform and Liberation is the most comprehensive guide to the story of those who called themselves Liberals, what inspired them and what they achieved over the last 300 years and more. Published in 2011, the book includes an analysis of the formation of the coalition in 2010. An essential source for anyone interested in the contribution of Liberals and Liberalism to British politics. Price cut – £10 off! Was £25, now £15. For Journal of Liberal History subscribers: was £20, now £12. Order via our website, www.liberalhistory.org.uk; or by sending a cheque (made out to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) to LDHG, 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN (add £3 postage and packing). 2 Journal of Liberal History 96 Autumn 2017 Journal of Liberal History Issue 96: Autumn 2017 The Journal of Liberal History is published quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group. ISSN 1479-9642 Liberal History News 4 Editor: Duncan Brack Directory of election candidates; in memory of Sandy Waugh Deputy Editors: Mia Hadfield-Spoor, Tom Kiehl Assistant Editor: Siobhan Vitelli Archive Sources Editor: Dr J. Graham Jones Old heroes for a new Leader 7 Biographies Editor: Robert Ingham Vince Cable explains why Roy Jenkins is his political hero Reviews Editors: Dr Eugenio Biagini, Dr Ian Cawood Contributing Editors: Graham Lippiatt, Tony Little, York Membery Liberal Democrat leadership 8 Comparative table of leadership performance updated to 2017 Patrons Dr Eugenio Biagini; Professor Michael Freeden; The 2017 election: a missed opportunity? 10 Professor John Vincent John Curtice examines the Liberal Democrat performance in the 2017 election Editorial Board The Nonconformist mind of Lloyd George 18 Dr Malcolm Baines; Dr Ian Cawood; Dr Matt Cole; Dr Roy The roots of Lloyd George’s political beliefs; by Chris Wrigley Douglas; Dr David Dutton; Professor Richard Grayson; Dr Michael Hart; Peter Hellyer; Dr Alison Holmes; Dr J. Graham Jones; Dr Tudor Jones; Caron Lindsay; Tony Letters to the Editor 25 Little; Michael Meadowcroft; Dr Tim Oliver; Dr Mark The 1915 general election (Graem Peters, Peter Rowland); Chris Rennard Pack; Dr Ian Packer; Dr John Powell; Jaime Reynolds; interview (Barry Standen, Roger Jenking) Dr Iain Sharpe; Dr Michael Steed; Dr Seth Thevoz Editorial/Correspondence En Marche! A new dawn for European liberalism? 26 Michael Steed examines the political background to Emmanuel Macron’s Contributions to the Journal – letters, articles, and book reviews – are invited. The Journal is a refereed election as French President publication; all articles submitted will be peer- reviewed. Contributions should be sent to: The same but different: Lib Dem members in 38 Duncan Brack (Editor) 1999 and 2015 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN email: [email protected] The characteristics of Liberal Democrat members analysed; by Tim Bale, Monica Poletti and Paul Webb All articles copyright © Journal of Liberal History. All rights reserved. Report 48 Advertisements The leadership of Charles Kennedy, with Greg Hurst and Lord Newby; report by Neil Stockley Prices on application; discounts available for repeat ads or offers to readers (e.g. discounted book prices). To place ads, please contact the Editor. Reviews 51 de Courcy, Margot at War: Love and Betrayal in Downing Street, 1912–1916, Subscriptions/Membership reviewed by David Dutton; Thorpe and Toye (eds.), Parliament and Politics in An annual subscription to the Journal of Liberal History the Age of Asquith and Lloyd George, reviewed by J. Graham Jones; Rix, Parties, costs £25.00 (£15.00 unwaged rate). This includes Agents and Electoral Culture in England 1880–1910, reviewed by Angus Hawkins membership of the History Group unless you inform us otherwise. Non-UK subscribers should add £10.00. Online subscriptions are also available: to individuals at £45.00, and to institutions at £60.00. As well as printed copies, online subscribers can access online copies of current and past Journals. Cover photo: Tim Farron launches the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the Subscribe via our website, www.liberalhistory.org.uk. general election, 17 May 2017 (photo: Liberal Democrats) Or, send a cheque (payable to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) to: Liberal Democrat History Group Patrick Mitchell The Liberal Democrat History Group promotes the discussion and research of 6 Palfrey Place, London SW8 1PA; topics relating to the histories of the Liberal Democrats, Liberal Party, and SDP, and email: [email protected] of Liberalism. The Group organises discussion meetings and produces the Journal of Liberal History and other occasional publications. Cover design concept: Lynne Featherstone For more information, including historical commentaries, details of publications, Published by the Liberal Democrat History Group, c/o 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN back issues of the Journal, and archive and other research resources, see: www.liberalhistory.org.uk. Printed by Kall-Kwik, Unit 1, 37 Colville Road, London W3 8BL Subscribers’ code for discounted sales from the History Group online shop: mbr07 September 2017 Chair: Tony Little Honorary President: Lord Wallace of Saltaire Journal of Liberal History 96 Autumn 2017 3 Liberal History News Autumn 2017 Directory of election candidates updated for 2017 election As reported in issue 94 (spring 2017), the directory, Lionel King, after we put it on offices held, party offices held, note- Liberal Democrat History Group’s web- our website in April, together with the worthy distinctions/achievements, hon- site now features a major new resource results of his own further research. ours, publications etc, etc. Information for students of post-war Liberal history: The directory is presented in sepa- on previous (or subsequent) activities a comprehensive directory of all election rate files covering eleven English regions with respect to other political parties is candidates at every Westminster elec- (Devon and Cornwall, East of England, often included. Spouses and family often tion from 1945. The first comprehensive East Midlands, Greater London, North receive notice. Entries vary in length biographical index to appear of the indi- East, North West, South Central, South and presentation, reflecting the scale of viduals who have contested a UK parlia- East, South West, Yorkshire, West Mid- the contribution which an individual mentary election under the designation lands), and Northern Ireland, Scotland made to the party and political life in the Liberal, Liberal Democrat and Social and Wales (Westminster elections only, region or nationally, to parliament or Democrat, the directory has now been including Alliance Party of Northern his/her achievements in wider spheres of updated to include candidates at the June Ireland candidates). activity. Opinions expressed with regard 2017 general election. It also includes a A typical entry includes details of to some of the more colourful personali- considerable number of additions and birth and death, where known, edu- ties listed are those generally held. corrections kindly sent in by individu- cation (school/college/university), As before, the History Group would als who contacted the compiler of the career(s), elected local government like to express its sincere thanks to Lionel On This Day … Every day the History Group’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed carry an item of Liberal history news from the past.