SDP-Liberal Alliance

The SDP–Liberal Alliance was an electoral alliance between the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party in the United Kingdom. 

The alliance was established in 1981 and contested several elections at local, national and European level including the 1983 and 1987 general elections.  

In 1988, the SDP decided to join the Liberal Party ahead of that year's local elections under the name the Liberal and Social Democrats, which later became known as the Liberal Democrats.  

Small groups in both parties which opposed the merger continued their respective parties under the same names. The SDP was initially reconstituted under David Owen until that too was dissolved in 1990. The current SDP was formed the same year. The current Liberal Party was reconstituted under Michael Meadowcroft in 1989 but remains a minor party as several early members including Meadowcroft have since joined the Liberal Democrats. 

Category:Former political parties in the United Kingdom
Category:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Category:Liberal Party (UK)
Category:Social Democratic Party (UK)
Category:1981 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:1988 disestablishments in the United Kingdom