Leader of the Liberal Party (UK) election) party members argued for a wider franchise. Before the leadership election of 1976, all members were given a vote in an electoral college based on allocating electoral votes to constituency associations (which were then divided proportionately to the votes of the members of the association). The candidates were required to be members of the House of Commons, nominated by a quarter of the MPs. The electoral college system was only used once, when David Steel was elected leader. Leader of the Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was formally established in 1859 and existed until merging with the Social
1976 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election to 48 on the Liberal amendment but then the Liberals voted with the Tories to defeat the similar NDP amendment. Smith tried to save face by stating "We voted for our own amendment to register disapproval with government policy. We voted against the NDP amendment simply to avoid an election." The Liberals under Smith regained status as official opposition after the 1977 election in another minority parliament but suffered disappointment in 1981 when the Tories regained a majority. Smith resigned after his second election defeat after six years as leader. 1976 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election The Ontario Liberal Party