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Sandals to Suits - Professionalisation, Coalition and the Liberal Democrats

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 10:24 authored by Elizabeth Evans, Emma Sanderson-Nash
The Liberal Democrats have traditionally been viewed as a 'bottom-up' party with a relatively high degree of influence open to grass-roots members and party activists. However, following the dramatic increase in the number of Liberal Democrat MPs at the 1997 election the party has increasingly tried to professionalise its operation, leading to a more top-down approach. This article argues that the professionalisation process has not only changed the dynamics within and between the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary party, but has also paved the way for the party, more usually identified as being on the centre-left of British politics, to enter into coalition government with the Conservatives. Analysing changes to the federal conference structure and to policy-making processes, the article explores the ways in which the party has professionalised, both within the parliamentary party and at party headquarters, and assesses the potential impact that this may have upon the role of the party's grass roots.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

British Journal of Politics and International Relations

ISSN

1369-1481

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing

Issue

4

Volume

13

Page range

459-473

Department affiliated with

  • Politics Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-20

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    University of Sussex (Publications)

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