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Liberal Party from Asquith to Ashdown, 1912-1988

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.

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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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.
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General Election press coverage, 1966
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General Election broadcasts, 1964
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General Election papers, 1964
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General Election coverage, 1964
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General Election coverage, 1959
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General Election papers, 1959
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General Election and Liberal news cuttings, 1955-1958
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The SDP-Liberal Alliance, 1979-1987