1988 Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election

Election in the United Kingdom April 2022 1988 Social & Liberal Democrats leadership election presidential no 1976 (Liberal)← 1982 (SDP) 1999 Liberal Democrats leadership election 1999 1988 07 28 yes 72.1% First pref. Percentage ASHDOWN Paddy.jpg 160x160px Paddy Ashdown 41,401 71.9% Alan Beith (2008).jpg 160x160px Alan Beith 16,202 28.1% Leader David Steel & Bob Maclennan Paddy Ashdown The 1988 Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election was called following the formation of the then Social and Liberal Democrats (later changing their name to Liberal Democrats). It was intended to replace the two interim leaders, David Steel and Robert Maclennan, with a single figurehead better able to represent both the former members of the Liberal Party and of the Social Democratic Party. There were two candidates and all members of the party were balloted using the Alternative Vote preference system. The election was won by Paddy Ashdown, who served as leader until his stepping down in 1999. The campaign occurred in a party which was still coping with the merger and saw a vituperative attack on Ashdown in a letter written by Alex Carlile, a Beith-supporting MP.http://www.liberalhistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/24_smith_the_1988_leadershipcampaign.pdf 1988 Leadership Campaign liberalhistory.org.uk Candidates At the close of nominations on the 24 June 1988, the following had been successfully nominated. Paddy Ashdown Supporters included: MPs: Malcolm Bruce, Archy Kirkwood, Charles KennedyHurst Greg Charles Kennedy 2006 Politicos 1-84275-176-X 71 First Matthew Taylor, Richard Livsey, Ronnie Fearn, Menzies Campbell. Leading SDP supporters included Tom McNally (formerly James Callaghan's speechwriter), Lindsay Granshaw, Anne Sofer, Denis Sullivan, David Marquand, Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams Other notable supporters: Timothy Clement-Jones (Past Chair of the Liberal Party), Des Wilson (Campaigner for Social Justice), Alan Leaman (Co-author of the Youth Charter) Alan Beith Supporters included: MPs: Geraint Howells, Cyril Smith, Alex Carlile, David Alton Lords: Lord Mackie Other notable supporters: Richard Wainwright (former Liberal MP), Annette Penhaligon (Widow of David Penhaligon MP and influential figure in the Liberal Party), Andrew Gifford (David Steel's Head of Office), Rev. Roger Roberts (Influential Welsh Liberal) Results Paddy Ashdown was elected with the 71.9% of the vote excluding abstentions,1988 Leadership Election https://www.libdems.org.uk/internal-elections/election-results/leadership#c11220 Liberal Democrats London 3 July 2026 a margin of victory that has not been exceeded in any subsequent contested leadership election.Sir Ed Davey wins Liberal Democrats leadership election 27 August 2020 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53933470 3 July 2026 Candidate Votes % Paddy Ashdown 41,401 71.6 Alan Beith 16,202 28.0 Abstention 187 0.3Turnout 57,790 72.1 References Bibliography Issue 24 of the Journal of Liberal History contains an article by Harriet Smith about the campaign Colin Rosenstiel http://www.cix.co.uk/~rosenstiel/ldelections/all-member.htm All-member ballot results Liberal Democrats' election results 1998–2004 2006-01-10 Leadership election 1998 Category:1988 elections in the United Kingdom Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election