File containing papers relating to history of the SDP from divisions in the Labour Party, formation of the SDP and creation of SDP/Liberal Alliance including:

• correspondence of David Owen and others relating to divisions in the Labour Party, including copy of David Owen's letter to James Callaghan on his resignation as Labour Party leader, with Callaghan's reply, 24 Oct 1980; copy of Bill Rodgers' and David Owen's letter sent to Michael Foot in criticism of Foot's handling of demonstration on the floor of the House of Commons, with copy of Foot's reply, 14-17 Nov 1980; copy correspondence between David Owen and a friend in America discussing the situation in the Labour Party and the possibility of forming a new party, Dec 1979//Nov-Dec 1980; copy of letter sent by Bill Rodgers to Michael Foot explaining his resignation from the Shadow Cabinet, 27 Jan 1981
• papers concerning the issue of the election of the Labour Party leadership, including copy motion passed by the PLP 13 Nov 1980, copies of papers prepared by Roy Hattersley and by David Owen and Bill Rodgers on proposals for widening the franchise; copy motion for Parliamentary Committee meeting 13 Nov 1980 concerning widening the franchise, with transcript of David Owen's speech at the meeting, and some MS notes by David Owen
• MS and typescript annotated copy of David Owen's notes on meetings on 12 Dec 1978 with Denis Healey,James Callaghan , Michael Foot, Michael Cox and others concerning debate over government sanctions brought against the Ford Motor Company over government pay guidelines - decision whether the vote on this debate should be made an issue of confidence.
• Papers concerning the Campaign for Labour Victory including two letters from Clive Lindley to David Owen one enclosing paper on `Changing the image of the CLV' with suggestions that the `CLV' become known as `Social Democrats' 20 Oct 1980, letter suggesting that the `Gang of Three' send open letter to Michael Foot challenging him on Labour's recent policy decisions, 12 Nov 1980; copies of correspondence between Roy Hattersley and Clive Wilkinson concerning the position of the CLV and Hattersley's disassociation with it, 17 Dec 1980-8 Jan 1981; Bill Rodgers ' draft of letter to be sent by the `Gang of Three' to CLV supporters explaining their position, 2 Dec 1980
• copy of report of public opinion survey conducted in David Owen's Plymouth Devonport constituency commissioned by Westward Television and entitled `David Owen and the Social Democratic Party' investigating level of support for David Owen should he stand as SDP candidate, 5-8 Feb 1981.
• inner file of `SDP Parliamentary Committee minutes 5th February-9th April, 1981': copy Council for Democracy/SDP Parliamentary Group/Committee minutes, with memorandum on `Incomes policy - opinion polls' with MS annotations by David Owen
• MS notes made by David Owen of argument between Roy Jenkins and himself following events at SDP conference, Derby, at which David Owen's research assistant, Ruth Levitt tabled an motion calling for a flexible incomes policy, thereby rejecting Roy Jenkins' move to introduce a statutory incomes policy.
• material concerning the formation of an alliance between the SDP and the Liberal Party, including copy SDP Steering and Parliamentary Committee minutes concerning relations between the SDP and Liberals, 6-7 Apr 1981, copy draft agreement between the two parties and paper on `The Alliance's Electoral Arrangements', Sep 1981; copy letters of David Owen concerning the SDP relationship with the Liberals, including letters concerning Alliance policy on proportional representation, coalition government, electoral agreements, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, possibility of merger etc Jun-Nov 1981; letter to the House of Commons Speaker arguing for the separate identities of the two parties, 29 Jun 1981, letter to David Steel concerning the tabling of a motion by the SDP on nuclear weapons policy, 24 Mar 1982; typescript headed `24 September 1982' of narration by David Owen discussing inevitability of the Liberal Party and the SDP finally merging
• Large group of photocopied news cuttings on Labour Party divisions [Feb 1979-Dec 1980], groups of cuttings labelled `1981 . SDP articles from microfilm. Seat deals, pressure for an alliance, Llandudno, Frank Johnson on the conferences, Douglas-Mann' ; `Alliance seats dispute-Jan 82. (chronological order). NB Alan Watkins - Observer 10.1.82'; `SDP Jan-July 1982. -seats. -Hillhead. -Leadership'; `SDP. July-Dec 82 . -Leadership. -Conference (incomes policy)'; `Konigswinter - the document, how it was reported + Steering Committee references' Apr-May 1981; `The SDP and the Socialist International' including paper by David Owen `Relations with Socialist International' etc

Originally in red box file