The Lib-Lab Pact A Parliamentary Agreement, 1977-78 [Hardcover]

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.

This a highly incisive, thoroughly researched and intelligently analysed scholarly study of an overlooked aspect of British politics in the crisis-ridden 1970s. The author has forensically trawled the primary archival sources, and also conducted interviews with some of the key participants (including the then Liberal leader, David Steel), before proving a judicious and thoughtful conclusion. This is undoubtedly the definitive book, and essential reading, on this topic. - Peter Dorey, Cardiff University, UK

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