Lord Rea
The career of Philip Russell Rea, (1900-81), the Liberal leader in the Lords in the 1950s and 60s.
Articles from the Journal of Liberal Democrat History.
The career of Philip Russell Rea, (1900-81), the Liberal leader in the Lords in the 1950s and 60s.
The story of the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray’s spirited performance on the Oxford hustings in 1857.
Examination of the offer of a cabinet position to the Liberal leader Clement Davies in October 1951.
Interview with Jeremy Thorpe, leader of the Liberal Party 1967-76.
In 1995, John Dickie, Liberal Democrat councillor in Camden and Federal Executive member, quit the party and joined Labour. Neil Stockley interviewed him on his defection.
Robert Maclennan was one of the original MPs who left the Labour Party to found the SDP, eventually becoming its third, and last, leader.Tony Little interviewed him during the 1999 Liberal Democrat conference at Harrogate.
Examination of the defections, in the 1950s, of the children of David Lloyd George: Megan to Labour, and her brother Gwilym to the Conservatives.
Biography of Donald Johnson (1903-78), a self-styled ‘political entrepreneur’ who moved from the radical wing of the Liberal Party to become a Conservative MP.
Since the Liberal Nationals first divided from the official Liberals and eventually merged with the Conservatives, they have often been regarded as Tory cuckoos in the Liberal nest. This article re-evaluates their role.
Defections 1918-29. The post-First World War period saw many Liberals, including high-profile personalities such as Winston Churchill, decide that the time was right for them to change political parties.
Winston Churchill was one of the famous politicians to have held high office in the administrations of two different parties. The text of this article was first delivered as a toast to the University Club of Toronto and a remembrance of the ‘Other Club’ in 1995 by Liberal Senator Jerry S. Grafstein QC.
The defection of the Liberal Unionists in 1886 was the greatest blow the Liberal Party suffered in the nineteenth century. This article explains what happened and suggests that there are still some unanswered questions.
Introduction to this special issue of the Journal, on political defections.
Review of Iain Wilton, C. B. Fry: An English Hero (Richard Cohen Books, 1999).
Biography of Thomas Edward Ellis (1859-1899)
Description of an unusual form of political activism.
Introduction to the Liberal Democrat History Group’s latest publication.
Considers the options open to Charles Kennedy and draws some lessons from the historical record.
Examination of Clement Davies’ resignation from the leadership in 1956.
Following this year’s leadership election for the Liberal Democrats, Harriet Smith looks back to the party’s first such election.