David Steel MP, he was responsible for introducing, as a Private Member's Bill, the Abortion Act 1967, and has argued for greater liberalisation of this legislation in recent years (see Abortion in the United Kingdom). He also became the Liberal Party's spokesman on employment, and in 1970 its Chief Whip. In 1976, after the downfall of Jeremy Thorpe, and a short period in which Jo Grimond acted as caretaker leader, he won the Liberal leadership by a wide margin over John Pardoe. At only 38 years old, he was one of the youngest party leaders in British history. In March 1977, he
1976 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election 1976 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election The Ontario Liberal Party held a leadership election in 1976 on January 24–25 to replace Robert Nixon. Nixon had announced his retirement after the 1975 election in which the Liberal Party was reduced from Official Opposition status in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to being the third party. Stuart Smith was elected as the party's new leader. After the disappointing results of the 1975 provincial election, Robert Nixon announced his resignation on September 30, 1975. He said, "the best interests of our party will be served if we contest the next election under new