The importance of local parties and incumbency to the Liberal Democrats
It has been argued, based upon national polling and mid-term election results, that the Liberal Democrats will lose a substantial number of seats at the next general election. However, such argument is in danger of underestimating the unique importance of local party organisation and incumbency to the Liberal Democrats as a platform for subsequent general electoral success. This paper examines the changing income, expenditure and membership of the party’s strongest constituency associations since 2010, and concludes with a short assessment of the possible implications for the Liberal Democrats at the next election and beyond.
Country: United Kingdom
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Illuminating Research 