The English Council
The primary governing body of the Liberal Democrats in England.
The English Council is the primary governing body for The Liberal Democrats in England and its members. In the Party structure, it sits below Federal Conference and above the English Council Executive. It is responsible for all major constitutional and rule changes affecting the membership, local government elections, and large seat elections, as well as the appointment of auditors. For more information about the English Council Executive click on the link to the right.
Why does the English Council exist?
The English Council exist to pool the resources of the eleven English Regional Parties and the English Young Liberals where appropriate in order to maximise their effectiveness, secure good practice throughout the Party in England, and reduce wasteful duplication.
The English Council meets at least two times a year to overview and scrutinise the work of its subsidiary bodies and its representatives to Federal Committees, and to consider motions and resolutions affecting the work and practice of the Liberal Democrats in England. For details of the meetings of the English Council, and other events, please click on the Calendar 2025 link to the right.
How is the English Council elected?
Each of the 11 Regional Parties and the Young Liberals, elect a number of representatives on the English Council, proportionate to the number of members they have. There are 150 regional delegates, excluding the 11 Regional Chairs and the Chair of the English Young Liberals. Officers and Representatives of the Liberal Democrats in England who are not members of the English Council in their own right also attend.
The English Council is Chaired by Caroline Pidgeon, supported by the officers, the English Council Executive, and its sub-committees. Most of the reports of the officers and representatives are bundled into the Chairs report, who will report on the work of the English Council Executive as a whole. For details of the members and roles of the English Council Executive please click on the link to the right.
Each regional party, and the English Young Liberals, elect their representatives to the English Council on a regionally determined cycle along with their officers and executive on the principle of one member one vote. If you are interested in becoming a representative to the English Council then please read the outline of the role in the link to the right.