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–National party merger have worked in coalition on multiple occasions. Additionally, the Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory has been affiliated with both parties since its formation, and in July 2008 the National Party of Australia – Queensland and Liberal Party of Australia (Queensland Division) merged to become the Liberal National Party of Queensland. In Queensland, the only state where the Nationals were the dominant coalition partner in state politics after Springborg's re-election as party leader, support emerged — especially on the National side — for a merger of coalition parties to address the declining National (rural) vote and Labor domination of