New Labour-Lib Dem merger before 1997?

The 'what if' of this topic is what would have happened if Labour and the Liberal Democrats merged in 1995/1996, with Blair and Ashdown as leader and deputy leader respectively? The Progressive Party, as it could be called, would have scored a huge landslide against the Tories though would be the ramifications during the Blair government, and how would the political scene look like in 2012?
 
Not sure it would ever happen. The LibDems are significantly different than Labour, and always have been. Only the Labour Party ever thought differently.
 
They probably won't do as well as OTL 1997, the Tories that swing to the Lib Dems might be less inclined to vote for a party further to the left and some Liberal/Labour voters will be put off by a party that's more Left/Right. Expect a better showing from a Socialist Labour style breakaway, maybe under the banner of 'Old' Labour, and some new life being breathed into the Liberal party. Nonetheless the Progressives will still win a big majority but you keep see the Tories keep 20+ seats they lost in OTL.
 
It certainly would be interesting. But, truth be told, I couldn't see it last beyond 2003 as Iraq would split the Progressives into two: anti-war and pro-war. Also, the party would be heavily divided on many issues, such as the Conservatives in the mid-90s.
 
It certainly would be interesting. But, truth be told, I couldn't see it last beyond 2003 as Iraq would split the Progressives into two: anti-war and pro-war. Also, the party would be heavily divided on many issues, such as the Conservatives in the mid-90s.

Pretty much why it wouldn't happen in the first place. Some sort of electoral alliance, formal or not, would make an interesting TL though.
 
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