Social Democrat or Liberal

[Rural Radical]

Taking into account current Lib Dem MPS. Who is a Social Democrat and who is  a Liberal.

These are my thoughts

Social Democrats : Charles Kennedy, Don Foster, the bloke from Harrogate.

Liberals : sIMON hUGHES, mATTHEW gREEN, lEMBIT Opik, Paul Keetch

[Ben.]

Its becoming a really big dividing line between “Orange Book Liberals” and what are basically “Social Democrats” who would be quite at home within the Left of the Labour Party…


Social Democrats:

Simon Hughes (the most unrepentantly leftwing on social issues)
Lembit Opik
Sarah Teather
Jenny Tonge
Ming Campbell (though not a full singed up member)

Capital L – Liberals:

David Laws
Mark Oaten
Ed Davey
Vince Cable


…the vast majority of LibDem MPs and indeed Members are mostly uncommitted with a vaguely Libertarian approach but most see their role as representing local concerns which is what makes some (but by no means all) good local MPs, after Kennedy goes the party may well shift in a rightward direction on economic issues where Oaten or Davey to take the leadership and Davey seems like the sort of ruthless, basta*d who would pull it off and take the leadership some time in the near future. 

[Silent Hunter]

For the older ones, it might be good to look at which Alliance party banner they were elected under- Kennedy was first elected as an SDP member.

[Ben.]

For the older ones, it might be good to look at which Alliance party banner they were elected under- Kennedy was first elected as an SDP member.

Problem there is Oaten and Cable where SDP'ers and their on the right on the LibDems, while Hughes and Opik where always Liberals and remain on the left of the party.