Group of correspondence and other personal papers relating to the period dating from the merger between the Liberal Party and the SDP, 1987, until the decision to wind down the SDP as a national party, 1990, including:

• Letters to David Owen responding to the merger issue and the re-establishment of the SDP with copies of David Owen's detailed replies setting out his views on the debate, Nov 1987-Mar 1988
• Inner file of copied news cuttings covering the SDP Council for Social Democracy Assembly to consider the merger in Sheffield, Jan-Feb 1988, including copy of photograph used in one report: `Debbie Owen leads the standing ovation for her husband'
• News cuttings following the strong SDP result in the Richmond by-election, Feb 1989
• Letters to David Owen discussing relationship between the SDP and the Social and Liberal Democrats: possibility of merger, electoral alliances or coalition, Mar 1988-Jun 1989; with copies of David Owen's detailed replies setting out his views on the issue
• Letters to David Owen discussing aspects of policy of the continuing SDP, particularly proportional representation and issues of coalition government, with copies of David Owen's replies, 1988-1990; including copy of detailed letter from Robert Maclennan, 29 May 1989, discussing issues of electoral reform, and possible coalition government with the Labour Party, with copy of David Owen's reply
• Letters to David Owen concerning National Committee decision to scale down the activities of the SDP due to dwindling membership figures, Jul 1989, with copies of David Owen's replies
• Copies of David Owen's letters in reply to letters concerning media claims of his resignation from politics, Mar 1990
• Copies of David Owen's letters on the suspension of the constitution of the SDP, Jun 1990, including personal responses and standard statements; lists of standard extracts used for `disbandment letters' etc.