D 709 3/12/4/28 - File: `General policy' - [Feb 1989-Jun 1989]

File containing reports, memoranda and copy correspondence concerning general policy of the re-established SDP, including

Summary:

File containing reports, memoranda and copy correspondence concerning general policy of the re-established SDP, including

  • Papers concerning relations between the SDP and the Social and Liberal Democrats, including memorandum on `negotiations with the SLD since Richmond and our press profile'; copy letter from Paddy Ashdown to David Owen proposing an electoral agreement between the Social and Liberal Democrats and the SDP, enclosing paper on proposed candidate selection procedure, with MS annotations by David Owen, 27 Feb 1989; and copy of David Owen's reply; group of letters received by SDP National Secretary Fiona Wilson responding to an invitation to members to submit views on the relationship with the SLD, Mar 1989; copy letter from David Owen to Geoff Drake, 6 Mar 1989, concerning the possibility of fighting the Vale of Glamorgan by-election, enclosing copies of memoranda on selection for the by-election, and copy of David Owen's letter to Paddy Ashdown concerning attempt to reach electoral agreement between the two parties
  • Group of papers concerning SDP plans for retrenchment due to low membership figure, May 1989, including amendments to the SDP constitution and decision to fight European Parliamentary elections selectively; include papers setting out views on constitutional changes submitted to Rosie Barnes by Roland Freeman, David Peniket and John Martin; copy of press release of SDP National Committee statement regarding selective strategy for the European elections, with copy of David Owen's letter to members explaining the decision; copy letter and news cuttings concerning challenge to SDP presidency made by John Martin in opposition to the proposed changes
  • Copies of research briefs on forming a strategy for the re-established party
  • Paper proposing proportional representation system
Date:[Feb 1989-Jun 1989]
Reference Number:D 709 3/12/4/28