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Latest comment: 17 years ago2 comments2 people in discussion
Article could do with a tidy-up I think. Firstly, the use of the word "elected" in the first paragraph is a bit misleading, as the vast majority of SDP MPs were never elected. Most were defectors who went down to defeat in 1983!
All histories of the SDP that I have read include Douglas-Mann in the ranks. While the technical position was, I think, that he sat as "Ind. SDP" from 11th Dec 1981 to taking the Steward of the Manor of Northstead on 5th May 1982, he WAS the Official SDP candidate at the by-election, and his intentions were always clear. Separating him out as "not included" is, imho, clumsier than just explaining his situation via a footnote. It is also innacurate to say he immediately stood down. To all intents and purposes he was an SDP MP, and remained a party activist after his defeat.... RodCrosby08:41, 2 January 2007 (UTC)Reply
While I understand your points, I think that it's better to be accurate than to attempt a simple approximation. Officially, he was never an SDP MP, even though he clearly sympathised with the party and (immediately after resigning) stood as a candidate for it. The first paragraph could no doubt be more clearly phrased - all the MPs were elected, but as you say, most were never elected for the SDP. Would you like to have a go at it? Warofdreamstalk15:47, 2 January 2007 (UTC)Reply
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