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
British Columbia Liberal Party of non-confidence. Subsequently, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon turned down Clark's request for a snap election and instead asked NDP leader John Horgan to form a minority government with the confidence and supply of the Green Party of British Columbia. Horgan succeeded Clark as the 36th premier of British Columbia on July 18, 2017. Clark resigned as Liberal leader and Rich Coleman was selected as the interim leader. Andrew Wilkinson, a former cabinet minister, was elected the party leader on February 3, 2018 Once affiliated with the Liberal Party of Canada, the British Columbia Liberal Party became independent of its federal