Overview

This is the definitive account of the rise, fall and future prospects of the Liberal Democrats, the party that threatened to break the mould of British politics but suffered electoral calamity after entering government with the Conservatives. Retracing the Lib Dems' path to government and subsequent near oblivion, the book explores the relationship between the party and the electorate in a post-coalition, post-Brexit, post-pandemic era. It offers a deep analysis of the electoral strategy that enabled growth and precipitated failure, explaining how and why the party got the coalition so wrong and plotting a potential future. Drawing on extensive survey data and original interviews with Lib Dem politicians and activists, the authors expertly capture the relationship between the party and voters, revealing the foundations of Liberal Democrat campaigning and performance in the search for credibility and viability. The Liberal Democrats remain contradictory: a minor party with ambitions to upset the status quo, a party that depends on decisive leadership but relies on grassroots activism to remain relevant. This book helps unravel these apparent contradictions.

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9781526127815

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Reviews

‘A fascinating, 360-degree portrait of Britain's “third party”. The authors shine a harsh light on the Lib Dems’ ongoing problems but also point to their still-considerable potential. Forensically analytical yet approachably written, the book is absolutely essential reading in the run-up to the next general election – and beyond.’ Tim Bale, author of The Conservative Party after Brexit -- .

'Not all Liberal Democrats will agree with the frankness of the authors’ assessment of the party’s recent years, but all should pay close attention to their evidence-backed seven themes for future success.' Mark Pack, President of the Liberal Democrats ‘A fascinating, 360-degree portrait of Britain's “third party”. The authors shine a harsh light on the Lib Dems’ ongoing problems but also point to their still-considerable potential. Forensically analytical yet approachably written, the book is absolutely essential reading in the run-up to the next general election – and beyond.’ Tim Bale, author of The Conservative Party after Brexit ‘This book contributes to the very small field of serious analyses of this important third force in British politics. Excellently researched and closely argued, it identifies dilemmas around identity, structure, agency and role, accounting for the party’s ill-fated period in coalition government while framing the potential for a future Liberal Democrat revival.’ Laura McAllister, Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales, Cardiff University 'A welcome investigation into where it all went wrong.' Sherelle Jacobs, The Sunday Telegraph 'A highly detailed and original study of the Liberal Democrats, the perennial third — now fourth — party of British politics. The book by three academics constitutes a wealth of fresh insights into how a minor party can operate in a two-party, first-past-the-post system — with a wealth of insights into how the 2010-15 Conservative-Lib Dem coalition has left a long hangover following the initial jubilation of being in power after so many decades.' Financial Times (included in their 'UK 2024 election: what to read ahead of the July 4 ballot' list) 'Overall, The Liberal Democrats will deservingly be the go-to study for those seeking to understand Britain’s “third party” for many years to come, and in several ways itself pushes the study of parties forward. The book joins several monographs in recent years of single British parties – Conservative, Labour, UKIP, the Greens, the DUP and the SNP – that in most cases take similar methodological approaches. However, The Liberal Democrats goes one step further in terms of its practical and clear recommendations. Its conclusions are largely borne out by the subsequent 2024 general election, redeeming the authors’ balanced, detached, and at times painstaking approach.' James Dennison, LSE Review of Books 'The Liberal Democrats is likely to become an important reference point for future scholars.' Peter Sloman, Political Studies Review CHOICE: Recommended -- .

Author Information

David Cutts is Professor of Political Science at the University of Birmingham Andrew Russell is Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool Joshua Townsley is a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics

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