Using archival sources and interviews with key participants, new insight is gained to how the Lib-Lab Pact of 1977-78 - an agreement, short of a full coalition - came about, was structured and implemented, and how Liberal leader, David Steel, might have achieved significant policy concessions on electoral reform.

Autorentext
Jonathan Kirkup is Lecturer in Politics at Cardiff University, UK.

Inhalt

Introduction 1. Cross-Party Co-Operation in British Politics, 1945-1977 2. Build Up to the Lib-Lab Pact, 1974-1977 3. Cross-Party Discussions, 17 March-20 March 1977 4. Lib-Lab Discussions, 17 March-23 March 1977 5. Cabinet Discussions on the Lib-Lab Agreement 6. The Lib-Lab Consultative Mechanism 7. Liberal Party Reaction to the Lib-Lab Pact 8. Policy Implications of the First Phase of the Pact 9. The Renewal of the Lib-Lab Agreement 10. The Second Period of the Lib-Lab Pact, July 1977-September 1977 11. Final Phase of the Lib-Lab Pact, October 1977-August 1978 Conclusion