Journal of Liberal History

The history of the association between the Liberal Party / Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party features electoral pacts (both formal and informal), support for minority governments, participation in coalitions – and periods of bitter enmity. So are Liberals and Labour friends or enemies, allies or competitors? Discuss the long and complex relationship between Liberals and Labour with David Laws (MP for Yeovil 2001–15 and minister in the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition government 2010 and 2012–15) and Jim Wallace (Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Deputy First Minister of Scotland in the Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition government, 1999–2005).

The meeting marks the launch of David Laws’ new book, Serpents, Goats and Turkeys: 100 years of Liberal-Labour relations. The book will be available to buy (at a discounted price!) at the meeting and from the History Group stand in the exhibition at conference. This is a fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference. You do not need to be registered for the conference to attend the meeting.