1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election the only time it was ever used to elect a Liberal leader. The election was won by David Steel, who served as leader of the Liberal Party until merger with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1988, forming the Liberal Democrats. David Steel later served as interim leader of the Liberal Democrats (jointly with Bob Maclennan of the SDP) for the duration of the 1988 leadership election which eventually elected Paddy Ashdown as the new party's first permanent leader. 1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election The 1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election was called following the resignation of Jeremy Thorpe
Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) of the party. Following Matthew Guy becoming Liberal leader the party began leaning to the right in Victoria due to the activities of Marcus Bastiaan, who is a supporter of Michael Kroger. Guy met Bastiaan in 2017 to put differences aside. Guy's support for more women in parliament has not stopped men like James Newbury winning Brighton pre selection. After being elected Opposition Leader and Liberal leader, some have alleged that Liberal power broker and alleged branch stacker Marcus Bastiaan plotted for Matthew Guy to lose the 2018 Victorian state election. Peter Reith supported by Guy challenged Liberal party President