Liberal and Democratic Union
Encyclopedia
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.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
formed by early South Australian liberals
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
, as opposed to the conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
. It was formed in 1906 when liberal party structures were becoming more solid. Its leader, Archibald Peake
Archibald Peake
Archibald Henry Peake was an Australian politician and the 25th Premier of South Australia, serving on three separate occasions in the 1910s.-Early life and career:...
, stressed that the LDU represented 'something not so sharply set as Labourism, not so dull in its edge as conservatism'. But with Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
taking over the middle ground, Kingstonian liberals like Peake had to choose.
When Premier Thomas Price
Thomas Price
Thomas Price was a stonecutter, teacher, lay preacher, businessman, stonemason, clerk-of-works, union secretary, union president and politician...
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
John Verran
John Verran was the 26th Premier of South Australia, serving from 1910 to 1912. The 1910 election saw the South Australian division of the Australian Labor Party form a majority government, the first time a party had done so in South Australia...
led Labor to its first majority government in 1910, causing the anti-Labor parties to merge and form the Liberal Union
Liberal Union (Australia)
The Liberal Union was a political party resulting from a merger between the Liberal and Democratic Union and the conservatives in South Australia. It lasted from 1910 to 1922 when it became the Liberal Federation....
, 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.