Records of the Liberal Democratic Party, [1930]-2000, including material relating to Liberal Democrat policy, [1970-1997], notably consultation papers, correspondence, policy briefings and minutes and papers of Green Papers Working Groups on topics such as the economy, tax and benefits, the environment, East-West relations, education, rural affairs, transport, crime and policing, local government, health, housing, disability, ethnic minorities and employment; bulletins, pamphlets publications produced by the Liberal Democrats, the SDP and the Liberal/SDP Alliance, [1980-1994]; election material, 1978-1995, such as manifestos, campaign papers and articles, including papers relating to the 1992 General Election and the 1994 European election; material relating to conferences, 1994-1995; papers concerning the Federal Party, 1988-1999, notably candidate manifestos produced for the 1999 Federal elections, and minutes of the Federal Policy Committee; printed material, [1985-2000], including conference reports, newsletters, leaflets and handbooks; later material regarding the Liberal Democrat leadership campaign, elections for Mayor of London and the London Assembly, and papers of the Defend Council Housing Campaign, 1994-2000.

The collection of the politician Neville Sandelson, 1923-1996, includes a series of scrapbooks of press cuttings covering Sandelson's period as an MP, files relating to the Hayes and Harlington constituency, and papers on the Labour Party and the SDP. Sandelson took a keen interest in foreign affairs, and there are files on the Middle East, Afghanistan, Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. There is also an extensive collection of photographs documenting his political life.

Ephemera relating to the Northumberland election of 1826, including journals, handouts, posters, press cuttings and song sheets.

Papers of Richard Wainwright MP, c 1868-2005, including personal papers, papers relating to the Colne Valley constituency and general election campaigns, articles, speeches and press releases written by Wainwright and Liberal Party policy papers; papers relating to Richard Wainwright's time at Cambridge University, his work for the Friends Ambulance Unit during World War II and the Rowntree Reform Social Services Trust (now the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust). Further papers relate to his wife, Joyce's, involvement in the Yorkshire Women's Liberal Federation.

Bound volumes of the Bedford College Magazine, 1886-1921; copies of the Magazine of Bedford Knowledge, 1896; copies of The Owlet, 1906; copies of The Balance, magazine of the Society for the Study of Womens' Franchise, 1913; copies of Minerva Smiles, 1918; copies of the Bedford College Union Magazine, 1921-1941; 'Bedford writings', compiled from literary pieces from the Bedford College Union Magazine, 1943 and 1945; copies of The Unicorn, 1946-1965, the Bedford News, 1946-1961, the Inner Circular, 1962-1982, and The Absorber, 1981-1985; brochures and programmes for College events, 1903-1985.

Papers, 1949-1957, of Sir Charles Noble Arden-Clarke, giving an insight into events during the transition of the Gold Coast to independent Ghana, including the State of Emergency (1950). The papers comprise typescripts of speeches to local clubs and societies, discussions with the Legislative Council, and some correspondence arranging meetings, 1949-1957, including two congratulatory telegrams received on the independence of Ghana, 1956, and speech when sworn in as Governor-General of Ghana, 1957; text of a radio broadcast on democracy and elections at the General Election, 1956; other papers, 1954-1957, comprising letters received congratulating him on his work, legal documents concerning a libel by the Ghana Nationalist newspaper, articles on Arden-Clarke from The Observer and The Ghana Evening News, and copy letter by Arden-Clarke concerning appointment of the next Governor of Ghana, 1957.

Papers, 1926-1986, of Ifor Ball Powell, largely comprising the Philippine reference material collected by him, together with his correspondence and personal papers. The reference material covers topics such as the Philippine legislature; Philippine administration; political parties, elections and election statistics; US Philippine agreements and relations; Philippine Islands during World War II; and the City of Manila. Also included are photographs taken during Powell's field trips in Southeast and East Asia, particularly in the Philippines, and an extensive collection of press cuttings.