Adrian Slade

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Adrian Slade, born 1936, is a British Liberal Democrat politician.

He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became Presidents of the Footlights, and famously recruited Peter Cook to the society.

Adrian Slade addressing the Liberal Assembly in 1987
Adrian Slade addressing the Liberal Assembly in 1987

He was a Liberal parliamentary candidate in the 1970s. In 1981 he scored an upset win in the GLC elections, winning the Richmond seat from the Conservatives by just 115 votes [1]. He became Leader of the SDP-Liberal Alliance group on the GLC, and remained so until the GLC's dissolution in 1986.

He served as the last ever President of the Liberal Party, from 1987 to 1988, conducting its merger negotiations with the SDP.

He is also known within Liberal Party circles as a pianist and singer, talents which he shared with his brother Julian Slade.