William Clouston (SDP leader)
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William Clouston | |
|---|---|
| Clouston in 2021 | |
| Leader of the Social Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Stuart James Clouston (1965年11月07日) 7 November 1965 (age60) |
| Party | SDP (since 2018) |
Other political affiliations | SDP (1984–1990) Conservative (1999–2003) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Brian Clouston (father) |
| Alma mater | Durham University |
| Profession |
|
William Stuart James Clouston (born 7 November 1965) is a British politician and town planner who has served as leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) since 2018. A member of the original SDP in the 1980s, he later served as a Conservative councillor before returning to the SDP. Clouston is currently the chairman of Corbridge Parish Council in Northumberland.
Political career
[edit ]Early political career
[edit ]Clouston's father was a member of the Labour Party, but left it in 1981 to become a founding member of the original SDP.[1] Clouston himself joined the SDP three years later, and opposed the 1988 merger with the Liberal Party, remaining in the continuing SDP until its dissolution in 1990.[1] [2]
Clouston later served as a Conservative councillor on Tynedale District Council between 1999 and 2003,[3] and stood for the party in North West Durham at the 2001 general election.[4] He has a background in town-planning and property management.[4] [5]
Leader of the Social Democratic Party
[edit ]Clouston became leader of the current Social Democratic Party in 2018, and was re-elected by the membership in March 2020, with 89% of the votes cast.[1] [6]
Under his leadership, the party had adopted a more eurosceptic and anti-immigration platform by the time of the 2019 United Kingdom general election.[7] He has also argued in favour of protectionism, and supported Donald Trump's tariff policy.[8]
At the 2024 general election, Clouston contested the seat of Hexham, placing sixth with 1,211 votes (2.3%).[9] He currently serves as chairman of Corbridge Parish Council.[10]
In July 2026, Clouston announced that he would be standing as the SDP candidate for the 2026 Clacton by-election.[11]
Elections
[edit ]Clouston stood for the Conservatives in 2001, but has since contested three parliamentary elections for the SDP.[12]
| Date | Constituency | Party | Votes | % | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | North West Durham | Conservative | 8,193 | 20.9 | 2nd | Not elected |
| 2019 | Leeds Central | SDP | 281 | 0.6 | 6th | Not elected |
| 2024 | Hexham | 1,211 | 2.3 | 6th | Not elected | |
| 2026 | Clacton | To be determined (13 August 2026) | ||||
References
[edit ]- 1 2 3 Wärnberg, Karl Gustel (20 March 2022). "Reclaiming Social Conservatism and National Sovereignty: An Interview with William Clouston of the UK's SDP" . Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "'Liberals don't understand the importance of the nation'". Spiked . Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "Social Democratic Party leader hopes for upset of Hexham constituency". Hexham Courant. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- 1 2 "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | CANDIDATES". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "General election 2024: SDP promises to reindustrialise the UK in manifesto". BBC News. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "William Clouston - SDP - The Social Democratic Party". SDP - The Social Democratic Party. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "The SDP: a social vision for post-Brexit Britain". Spiked . Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ Clouston, William (8 April 2025). "Why tariffs work". The Spectator. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "UK Parliament election results: General election for the constituency of Hexham on 4 July 2024". UK Parliament election results. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "Parish council to review Northumberland Balloon Festival concerns". BBC News. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ Steerpike (17 July 2026). "The SDP makes a bid for Clacton". The Spectator. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "William Stuart James Clouston in UK Parliament elections". whocanivotefor.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2026.