Liberal Democrat Strategy

Before the general election campaign of 2001 Liberal Democrats knew that there were low expectations outside the party about what we could achieve. Professor Bob Worcester confidently forecast that the Liberal Democrats would be down to 32 seats. ¹ The Guardian regularly reported ICM polling analysis saying that we would win only around 25. Indeed, the survey conducted between 29 and 30 March 2001 suggested that our total could go as low as 20. ² Early in the campaign, the Sun reported that Simon Hughes in North Southwark & Bermondsey and Steve Webb in North Avon would be among the many Liberal Democrat casualties. ³