1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election 1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election The 1976 Liberal Party (UK) leadership election was called following the resignation of Jeremy Thorpe in the wake of allegations which would eventually lead to Mr. Thorpe's trial and acquittal for conspiracy to murder in 1979. There were two candidates, David Steel and John Pardoe, who were elected by a ballot of an electoral college made up of representatives of the various constituency associations, with their vote "weighted" by the strength of the Liberal vote at the previous general election. This electoral system was devised by Michael Steed, and this election proved to be
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