File of papers concerning SDP affairs following the Richmond (North Yorkshire) by-election of Feb 1989, including:

• Inner file containing papers relating to the relationship between the SDP and the Social and Liberal Democrats following the Richmond by-election, particularly concerning attempts to reach electoral agreement between the two parties for the Vale of Glamorgan by-election, Mar 1989, including correspondence between the leader of the SLD, Paddy Ashdown and David Owen debating methods of reaching an agreement, Feb-Mar 1989, memoranda and press statements concerning attempts by Vale of Glamorgan SDP and SLD parties to come to an agreement; MS letters from Paddy Ashdown to David Owen protesting against SDP leaflet and comments made by David Owen to the press attacking the SLD, with copies of the material in question and copy of David Owen's reply, Apr 1989; copy of `Chronology of events post-Richmond' recording stages in negotiation between the SDP and the SLD, 24 Feb-14 Mar 1989 etc
• Papers concerning the activity of the SDP from the time of the Richmond by-election, Feb 1989 until the winding up of the SDP as a national party, Jun 1990, including letter from Paddy Ashdown to David Owen suggesting that the SLD and SDP join in a cross-party initiative to express concern at the appointment of Lord Chalfont as Deputy Chairman of the IBA, 6 Feb 1989, with copy of David Owen's reply; personal letter from Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler discussing his plans after leaving the SDP, Jun 1989; copy of MS letter from David Owen to Robert Maclennan discussing SDP and SLD strategy, particularly concerning relationship with the Labour Party; copies of three SDP members' letters sent in reply to appeal from Roy Jenkins to join the SLD, Dec 1989; extract of SDP Party Political Broadcast, 9 Jun 1989 and transcript of SDP Party Political Broadcast, Apr 1990; news cuttings and press statements concerning SDP campaign to introduce systems of proportional representation and coalition government, Feb 1989-Mar 1990; copy of Charles Kennedy's press release commenting on the decision to `wind up' the SDP, Jun 1990 etc.