Anniversary Dinner: Celebrating Sutton's Liberal Council at 40

In 1986, the SDP-Liberal Alliance took control of Sutton Council, marking one of the key national breakthroughs at local government for the movement that would become the Liberal Democrats.

Forty years later, the Liberal Democrats have not just retained control of the council, but won a historic number of councillors in May 2026. Sutton remains the longest-held Council for the Liberal Democrats anywhere in the country.

The 40-year-long story of the Liberal and Liberal Democrat administration of Sutton is the story of thousands of hardworking activists, hundreds of inspirational councillors, and so many truly brilliant leaders.

Join us for a special dinner to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that first election win, and hear from Lord Tope (who has been there for every one of those forty years!) and party leader Sir Ed Davey about what makes Sutton's track record of delivering for residents and excellent Liberal Democrat campaigning so special.