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, click on the link to the right.
Why does the English Council exist?
The English Council exists to pool the resources of the 11 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 twice 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 English Young Liberals elect a number of representatives to the English Council, proportionate to the number of their members. There are 151 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 meetings.
The English Council is Chaired by Baroness Caroline Pidgeon, supported by the Officers, the English Council Executive and its Sub-Committees. In addition to the Chair's report, the Officers and Representatives will present reports to each English Council meeting to provide updates on their work on a regular basis.
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.