26/3/81: Social Democratic Party (SDP) founded in UK

On Thursday 26 March 1981 the Social Democrats launched their new political party in the UK pledging to "reconcile the nation" and "heal divisions between classes".

The party was founded by the so-called 'Gang of Four', the four Labour Party defectors Roy Jenkins, David Owen, William Rodgers and Shirley Williams.

pic: Keystone/Getty Images

The SDP went on to form the SDP–Liberal Alliance with the Liberal Party in June 1981, under the joint leadership of Roy Jenkins and Liberal leader David Steel.


source: BBC On This Day