party leader, Social Democratic Party
William joined the SDP in 1982 and campaigned in general elections, local elections and by-elections throughout the 1980s. By 1989 he was on the SDP’s approved list of parliamentary candidates. William later spent four years in the Conservative party, becoming a district councillor in 1999 and serving on Tynedale Council until 2003. A former parliamentary candidate on two occasions, he is presently chairman of Corbridge Parish Council in Northumberland. William became leader of the Social Democrats in early 2018 and was re-elected in March 2020 obtaining 89 per cent of votes returned by members.
William has written articles for the Spectator, spiked and UnHerd and regularly makes media appearances on TalkRadio. He holds first and masters degrees in urban planning and property management respectively and read philosophy at Durham University at postgraduate level.
Follow William on Twitter: @WilliamClouston