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Liberal Party from Asquith to Ashdown, 1912-1988

A collage featuring two reports by William Beveridge.

A history of the Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party, and Liberal Democrats through meeting and campaigning records

Freedom from Want is the aim of the Report made by myself in November, 1942, the so-called Beveridge report
Author of the Beveridge Report on social security, 1945, Policy and structures during war and decline, 1939-1954, Election materials and media, 1945-1951, img 5

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Mr Asquith watching men adjusting fuses, Somme campaign, France, World War I, 1916
See how war and alliances shaped the Liberal Party. These papers begin two years before H. H. Asquith took Britain into World War 1 and conclude with David Steel's leadership of the Liberal Democrats. These records cover both internal discussions and the changing nature of electoral campaigning during the 20th century. Internal records cover the Party's decline and how it recovered from the brink of destruction. These papers reveal how the Liberals related to Labour during the Lib-Lab Pact. They also cover how the Liberals worked with the SDP as the Liberal-SDP Alliance. General Election literature then reveals social challenges of the day through its attempts to address them. Taken as a whole, this collection reveals how electioneering became the strategic and data-led practice that it is today.

Contents

Liberal Party from Asquith to Ashdown, 1912-1988...

A history of the Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party, and Liberal Democrats through meeting and campaigning records

Discover 
Liberal Party Conference at Brighton: Photo shows Jeremy Thorpe and Jo Grimmond together on the platform, 8 August 1977

Highlights

Two-page spread showing the agenda of the National Liberal Federation 37th Annual Meeting of the Council in the Mechanics Institute, Bradford, dated 25 and 26 November 1920.

Licensed to access NI Home Rule

In 1920, the Annual Meeting of the Liberal Federation discussed Irish home rule. The issue of home rule is included in the Agenda for this meeting.
Green cover of a document titled Final Agenda for the Meeting of the Assembly of the Liberal Party, dated 4 and 5 September 1942.

Licensed to access Social security

Liberal Party supporter William Beveridge published his report in 1942. The Liberal Party’s 1942 Assembly Agenda includes motions on welfare.
Two-page spread of the preface to The Orpington Story by Donald Newby. The left page features a cut-out photograph of Eric Lubbock, M. P.

Licensed to access Orpington

The Orpington by-election of 1962 is often said to have started the Liberal revival after World War Two. These records include a review of what happened.
Black and white photograph of David Steel and David Owen on a yellow background, with the words The time has come printed above.

Licensed to access Lib-SDP

The Liberals and Social Democrats formed an alliance in 1981. These internal party documents give details on the nature of the alliance.

Insights

  • The Liberal Assemblies from 1912 to 1920 cover 1912 and 1913, followed by 1920. These records cover Irish Home Rule rather than the First World War. Liberal representatives' handbooks include a volume for 1918.
  • Records on policy and structures during war and decline do cover some of the conflict years. The post-war period also sees media coverage become more of a concern for the Party. Reports from 1945 include television appearances.
  • The Liberal Party that recovered from its post-war decline tried to win power through partnerships under David Steel. The partnership negotiations resulted in records on each of the parties’ policy positions as they tried to agree joint policies.
A black and white image of Clement Attlee addressing a crowd shortly after leading Labour to victory.

Licensed to access British Labour Party Papers, 1906-1969

1906   1969
This is an image of James Callaghan, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on the left, and Max van der Stoel, Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the right. The men are both dressed in suits and are engaging in conversation. Photo taken 1975.

Licensed to access British Labour Party Papers, 1968-1994

1968   1994
Durham Miners Gala Clement Attlee and Hugh Gaitskell watch the rally from the balcony

Licensed to access Independent Labour Party Records, 1893-1960

1893   1960
On the left is an image of the Statue of Robert the Bruce at Stirling Castle and on the right is the Scottish flag in the wind.

Licensed to access Scottish Nationalist Leaflets, 1844-1973

1844   1973
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