Liberal Democrat–Green Party alliance

In the politics of England, a Liberal Democrat–Green Party alliance is an ad-hoc arrangement between candidates and elected representatives from the Liberal Democrats and Green Party to form a joint group on elected bodies or to field joint lists or candidates in elections.

Liberal Democrat–Green Party alliance
Leader of the Liberal DemocratsEd Davey
Leader of the Green PartyCarla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay (co-leaders)
IdeologyGreen politics
Progressivism[3]
Political positionCentre-left to left-wing
Colours  Yellow and   Green
Affiliated parties

Instances

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Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council

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For the 2018 local elections, Liberal Democrats and Green candidates in Richmond upon Thames formed an arrangement where the two parties would field joint lists of two Liberal Democrats and one Green in some three member wards.[4] This was repeated in the 2022 elections.[5]

General elections 2017 and 2019

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In the 2017 general election,[6] the Liberal Democrats and Green Party refrained from standing candidates against each other for certain constituencies in Brighton[7] and Oxford.[8] Such informal arrangements ensured the successful re-election of the only Green MP Caroline Lucas for Brighton Pavilion and resulted in the Liberal Democrats regaining Oxford West and Abingdon as Layla Moran was elected there.

During the 2019 general election, this was extended to more constituencies, as part of the Unite to Remain campaign in order to boost each other's chances of winning those seats.[9][10]

Oxfordshire County Council

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Liberal Democrat and Green councilors elected to Oxfordshire County Council following the local elections in May 2021, formed a joint group prior to negotiations to form a coalition administration also including the Labour Party.[11] These councillors sit in a grouping formally known as the Liberal Democrat Green Alliance.[12] The leader of this group, and of the council, is Liz Leffman.[13]

Wealden District Council

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Following the 2023 local elections, Wealden District Council came under no overall control with the Liberal Democrats holding 13 seats and the Green Party holding 11. The two agreed to form a co-operative alliance in which the position of council leader will rotate between the leaders of both party groups on an annual basis.[14][15]

Official party policies

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Liberal Democrat policy

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The Liberal Democrats are officially opposed to alliances, with senior party figures preferring a non-aggression pact with Labour over unilaterally standing down.[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hans Slomp (2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics [2 volumes]: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 343. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8.
  2. ^ "Brexit". Liberal Democrats. 17 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Green Party of England and Wales elects new leaders". europeangreens.edu. European Green Party. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  4. ^ van der Stoep, Remco (May 4, 2018). "The Progressive Alliance strikes again in Richmond upon Thames". Compass.
  5. ^ Mortimer, Josiah (10 May 2022). "Lib Dems and Greens 'teamed up' to block the Tories in a leafy London borough". MyLondon.
  6. ^ Middleton, Ian (2017-06-12). "The Greens Didn't Only Win In Brighton, They Also Share A Victory In Oxfordshire". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  7. ^ "Brighton Lib Dems and Greens in party alliance". BBC News. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  8. ^ "Greens make way for Lib Dems in Oxford West". BBC News. 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  9. ^ Cork, Tristan; Rogers, Alexandra (7 November 2019). "Lib Dems will not field a candidate in Bristol West". BristolLive.
  10. ^ Lynch, David (8 November 2019). "Election pact sees Greens stand aside for Lib Dem's Layla Moran". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  11. ^ "Lib Dems, Greens and Labour to govern Oxfordshire in coalition". Oxford Mail. 18 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Your Councillors". Oxfordshire County Council. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Liz Leffman". Oxfordshire County Council. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  14. ^ https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/lib-dems-and-greens-form-co-operative-alliance-to-run-wealden-district-council-4145239 [bare URL]
  15. ^ "Wealden to be run by Green and Lib dem alliance after Tory election defeat". 17 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Senior Lib dem and Labour Reject "Progressive Alliance" to Beat Tories". 18 June 2021.