Following the resignation of William Clouston as leader of the Social Democratic Party, Adam Williams has announced his intention to run for the role. We speak with Adam about his plans.
“Chair of the Young Social Democrats, and as the party’s national spokesperson and campaigns organiser, because I believe the SDP can bring about real change for Britain”
Can you introduce yourself and tell us why you are running for leader of the SDP?
My name is Adam Williams. I joined the SDP in 2024 because it’s a party I truly believe in. Since then, I’ve poured myself into it: as a volunteer, as Chair of the Young Social Democrats, and as the party’s national spokesperson and campaigns organiser, because I believe the SDP can bring about real change for Britain.
I am a trained administrator and historian by background. I started my career as a bartender, before becoming an apprentice, then working in the museum sector, after that I took a break to do my MA in Crusader Studies, before returning to work for a charity as a fundraiser and organiser, and now I work for the SDP handling political communications. Politics has been a lifelong passion of mine, I’ve been actively involved in some way or another since 2016 (Brexit was my first vote), and I am determined to make a positive change for this country.
The party has received a lot of publicity but has had limited electoral success. How would you hope to build the vote?
We’ve had good friends in the podcast scene and news media who’ve given us a platform over the years, but it’s provided little cut-through. In the age of attention politics, we need a new approach: a radical, hopeful message that matches the public mood for change with the energy it demands. We should stop waiting to be noticed and start demanding attention with our output.
“My real focus is the cost of living. I want our party to get radical with the solutions we offer, and to put some feeling and romanticism back into our politics”
What changes to policy, or shifts in policy emphasis, would you introduce?
The coming general election will be fought on two main fronts: the cost of living and immigration. On immigration, our part of the electorate has reached a clear consensus, and our policy platform already tackles it robustly, though I’d welcome further measures. My real focus is the cost of living. I want our party to get radical with the solutions we offer, and to put some feeling and romanticism back into our politics: the hope and optimism so many people are crying out for.
“My real focus is the cost of living. I want our party to get radical with the solutions we offer, and to put some feeling and romanticism back into our politics”
Beyond the party itself, what’s your pitch to the public to support the SDP?
My pitch to the public is simple: under my leadership, the SDP will answer the public’s cry for change with the urgency and radical ideas the moment demands. We will not be “just another party” that promises much and delivers little. We will bring back hope and optimism for the future, and be a party our supporters are proud to back every time they vote.
How can people find out more about your campaign?
My campaign website is live and ready to launch on 12 October, the first official day of campaigning. Everything about the campaign will live there, so watch this space. Until then, I’ll be posting across my socials, holding Q&As, and sharing my thinking right up to the close of campaigning, with one or two policy announcements along the way.
You can find me on X – @WilliamsAdamUK, Facebook – Adam Williams SDP and Instagram – Adam Williams SDP
