Liberal democrats

Liberalism in Britain

By VANESSAcapes

  • The 2 political parties Whigs and Tories made their appearance.

    They constitute themselves during
    the Exclusion Crisis (unsuccessful attempt to prevent James Stuart fromsucceeding to the throne as James II).
  • Period: to

    Whigs dominate politics

    during Sir Robert Walpole’s long tenure
    as “Prime Minister”.

  • The party system has been “dissolved”.

    Mid-18th century: Party system comes into disrepute due to corruption, and the Tories are increasingly tainted by “Jacobitism” – alleged support for the exiled Stuarts. By the late 18th Century, most politicians in Britain view themselves as Whigs.
  • Period: to

    PM William Pitt and his Cabinet are branded “Tories” for their conservatism.

    Polarisation in politics between liberal/radical and conservative views.

  • Liberal Whigs under the Earl Grey push through reform of the electoral system.

    This opens up for a larger electorate and more well-organised
    political parties.

  • Formation of the Liberal Party

    Liberal Whigs merges with the Peelites (former conservatives) and Radicals to form the Liberal Party.

  • Formation of the Liberal Unionist Party

    A faction, opposing “Home Rule” for Ireland, secedes as the Liberal Unionist Party.
  • PM : David Loyd George

    PM : David Loyd George

    David Lloyd George takes over as PM after challenge to Asquith government. Liberal Party split between the two leaders.
    A series of secessions follows, the party falling apart into the Coalition Liberals (supporters of Lloyd George) and the Independent Liberals, reunited in 1923.

  • Formation of 2 parties: the Lliberal National Party and the Independent Liberals.

    A faction forms the Liberal National Party, while another faction centred on Lloyd George and his family becomes the Independent Liberals (1931).

  • Lloyd George’s Independent Liberals rejoin with the rest of the Liberal Party.

  • Period: to

    Labour appears the new alternative against Consevatives.

    Liberal Party steadily loses ground as Labour emerges as the
    “radical alternative” to the Conservatives.
  • Period: to

    the Liberals alliance with the new Social Democratic Party (1982-88)

    New ground opens up as the Liberals in alliance with the new Social Democratic Party (1982-88) challenges, and almost equals Labour in electoral support.

  • the Liberal Democrats formed itself as a merger between the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party.

    The two parties merge to form the present-day Liberal Democrats. The new Liberal Party secedes. Paddy Ashdown is elected the Lib Dems’ first party leader.
    A socially liberal political party supporting constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, environmentalism, human rights laws, banking reform and civil liberties.
  • Nick Glegg was elected Leader of the party

    Nick Glegg was elected Leader of the party

    Former leaders : Gladstone, Asquith and Lloyd George.
    During these times in government, the Liberals are credited with the Liberal Reforms, which saw the creation of the welfare state.

  • 2010 General election : A coalition Government / N. Gleg, D. Cameron.

    the Liberal Democrats won 57 seats with 23% of the vote, making them the third-largest party in the House of Commons behind the Conservatives with 307 and Labour with 258.
    Clegg becoming Deputy Prime Minister and other Liberal Democrats taking up ministerial positions.