The Lib-Lab Pact: a Parliamentary agreement 1977-78

Kirkup, Jonathan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-6693 2015. The Lib-Lab Pact: a Parliamentary agreement 1977-78. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 10.1057/9781137527691

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Abstract

The Lib-Lab Pact examines the only formal cross-party understanding at Westminster between 1945-2010. Through the use of archival sources and unique interviews with key participants, this study brings new insights into how an agreement, short of a full coalition, came about, how it was administered, and how it impacted on both political parties. Jonathan Kirkup investigates the particular turn of events in 1977 which led to a Pact between Prime Minister, James Callaghan, and Liberal Party leader, David Steel. A review of the negotiating process reveals, for the first time, that David Steel might have achieved more policy concessions, specifically on electoral reform. This volume explores the intra-party conflict which ensued in the Liberal Party, ultimately threatening the position of Steel as leader, as policy objectives were not realized. The legacy of the Pact is assessed, and how it influenced the strategy of the Liberal Party and Liberal Democrat politicians for the next thirty years.

Item Type:	Book
Book Type:	Authored Book
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Department of Politics and International Relations (POLIR) Cardiff Law & Politics
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN101 Great Britain
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN:	9781137527684
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2022 10:02
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/83374

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