Liberal Party

Liberal Party British political party. It grew out of the early 19th-century Whigs. The first official use of the name was the National Liberal Federation founded (1877) by Joseph Chamberlain, although the administration (1855–58) of Lord Palmerston is often regarded as Liberal. Its predominant interests were free trade, religious and individual liberty, financial retrenchment and constitutional reform. Its greatest leader was William Gladstone, who led four governments (1868–74, 1880–85, 1885–86, 1892–94). The government of (1905–08) Henry Campbell-Bannerman legalized trade unions, reformed the House of Lords, and introduced progressive social security measures. In 1908, Herbert Asquith became leader and prime minister. In 1916, Lloyd George formed a coalition government with the Conservative Party. Since Lloyd George, it has never formed a government. After the formation (1980) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Liberal Party entered into an alliance, and then merged with it in 1987. In 1988, the Liberal members and most of the SDP formed the Liberal Democrats. A small Liberal Party still exists.