Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This research project improves the knowledge and understanding of the Liberal Democrat Party, its changing role in party politics, strategic decision-making processes and the nature and distinctiveness of its support. It focuses on the relationship between Party elites and Party supporters. The project assesses the changing political and electoral agenda in post-Thatcherite Britain and its impact on the Party. A major research theme is how Party elites respond to changes in the political and electoral environment. This research explores the extent to which strategic development is a 'top-down' or 'bottom-up' process, investigating the duality of the local and the national. Three interconnected areas are explored by the project: the Party's political distinctiveness; electoral strategy and organisational structure.

Main Topics:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Party personnel from across Great Britain. The interviews covered the following aspects: issues and ideology; relationship with other parties; electoral support and strategy (local and national); Party organisation and control. As well as national interviews, the research was designed to analyse particular aspects of local Liberal Democrat behaviour. Thus interviews were conducted in eight parliamentary case studies in a variety of political and geographical contexts. The case studies were conducted in the parliamentary constituencies of Aberdeen South, Bridgwater, Cheadle, Colchester, Devon North, Montgomeryshire, Oldham East and Saddleworth, and Sheffield Hallam.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview