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1988 Social and Liberal Democrats leadership election

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1988 Social & Liberal Democrats
leadership election
← 1976 (Liberal)
← 1982 (SDP)
28 July 1988 (1988-07-28) 1999 →
Turnout71.9%
 
Candidate Paddy Ashdown Alan Beith
First pref. 41,401 16,202
Percentage 71.9% 28.1%

Leader before election

David Steel & Bob Maclennan

Elected Leader

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.[1]

Candidates

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At the close of nominations on the 24 June 1988, the following had been successfully nominated.

Supporters included:

Supporters included:

Results

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Candidate Votes %
Paddy Ashdown Green tickY 41,401 71
Alan Beith 16,202 29
Turnout 57,790 71.9

References

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  1. ^ "1988 Leadership Campaign" (PDF). liberalhistory.org.uk.
  2. ^ Hurst, Greg (2006). Charles Kennedy (First ed.). Politicos. p. 71. ISBN 1-84275-176-X.

Bibliography

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