Liberal and Democratic Union
- Liberal and Democratic Union
The Liberal and Democratic Union was a political party formed by early South Australian liberals, as opposed to the conservatives. It was formed in 1906 when liberal party structures were becoming more solid. Its leader, Archibald Peake, stressed that the LDU represented 'something not so sharply set as Labourism, not so dull in its edge as conservatism'. But with Labor taking over the middle ground, Kingstonian liberals like Peake had to choose.
When Premier Thomas Price died in 1909, Labor demanded it retain the premiership in their coalition, however Peake refused. Invited to form a ministry, he filled it with LDU members and became premier, treasurer and minister of education. The ministry survived with the parliamentary support of the Australasian National League (conservatives) and the Farmers' and Producers' Political Union, and in December was reconstructed to include members of both.
John Verran led Labor to its first majority government in 1910, causing the anti-Labor parties to merge and form the Liberal Union, with Peake as leader. All groups readily approved the merger, however the LDU was more hesitant. Peake persuaded a party conference that 'the day of the middle party is passed', and approved the merger by one vote.
References
*Grainger, G. Peake, Archibald Henry (1859 - 1920), " [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110181b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography] "
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Liberal and Centre Union — The Liberal and Centre Union ( lt. Liberalų ir centro sąjunga) is a liberal party in Lithuania, member of the Liberal International and the ELDR. It was formed in 2003 by a merger of the Liberal Union of Lithuania ( Lietuvos liberalų sąjunga ),… … Wikipedia
Christian and Democratic Union — – Czechoslovak People s Party Křesťanská a demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová Leader Pavel Bělobrádek … Wikipedia
National and Democratic Union — Rally for Monaco National and Democratic Union Rassemblement et Enjeux pour Monaco Ideology Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Royalism … Wikipedia
Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party — Infobox Czech Political Party party name = Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People s Party party name czech = Křesťanská a demokratická unie Československá strana lidová colour html = #BF0202 party leader = Jiří Čunek foundation =… … Wikipedia
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania — Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România President Hunor Kelemen Senate leader … Wikipedia
Democratic Union for the Republic — Union for the Republic President Francesco Cossiga Secretary … Wikipedia
Democratic Union for Integration — Демократска унија за интеграција Bashkimi Demokratik për Integrim Leader Ali Ahmeti Founded 2001 … Wikipedia
Democratic Union (Poland) — Democratic Union Unia Demokratyczna Chairman Tadeusz Mazowiecki Founded May 1991 Dissolved April 23, 1994 (1994 04 23) … Wikipedia
Democratic Union (Russia) — Democratic Union Демократический союз Leader Valeria Novodvorskaya Founded 8 May 1988 Ideology Classical liberalism, Objectivism, Anti Sovietism, Anticommun … Wikipedia
Democratic Union of Freedom — Type anti Soviet group Location Orhei Official languages Romanian Democratic Union of Freedom (Romanian:Uniunea Democratică a Libertăţii) was one of the organized anti Soviet groups in B … Wikipedia
