William Clouston

William Stuart James Clouston (born 7 November 1965) is a British politician and town planner who served as leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from 2018 to 2026. He also sits as chairman of the parish council in Corbridge.

A member of the original SDP in the 1980s, he later served as a Conservative councillor and parliamentary candidate before returning to the SDP. Clouston also sat on the Restore Britain advisory board until it was announced as a party in February 2026.

Early life and career William Stuart James Clouston was born in Durham, England on 7 November 1965, the son of landscape architect Brian Clouston. He was educated at Scarborough College in North Yorkshire.

Political career

Early political career Clouston's father, Brian Clouston, was a member of the Labour Party, but left it in 1981 to become a founding member of the original SDP.

Clouston himself joined the SDP three years later, and opposed the 1988 merger with the Liberal Party, remaining in the continuing SDP until its dissolution in 1990. He later served as a Conservative councillor on Tynedale District Council between 1999 and 2003, and stood for the party in North West Durham at the 2001 general election.

Leader of the Social Democratic Party Clouston became leader of the current Social Democratic Party in 2018, and was re-elected by the membership in March 2020, with 89% of the votes cast. Under his leadership, the party had adopted a more eurosceptic and anti-immigration platform by the time of the 2019 United Kingdom general election.

At the 2024 general election, the party entered an electoral pact with Reform UK. Clouston contested the seat of Hexham, placing sixth with 1,211 votes (2.3%). He currently serves as chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, and previously sat on the Restore Britain advisory board.

Clouston describes himself as an "Owenite", and admires Peter Shore and Tony Benn. He has outlined himself being socially conservative, whilst advocating for a mixed market economy. He has also argued in favour of protectionism, and supported Donald Trump's tariff policy.

In July 2026, Clouston announced that he was standing as the SDP candidate for the 2026 Clacton by-election. Tom Harris wrote in the The Telegraph that Clouston considered himself "the rightful heir to David Owen and Roy Jenkins and believes, with some justification, that his party's social-democrat, centre-Left economic policies combined with its rejection of modern woke politics would appeal to a large number of disillusioned voters of both the main parties." He placed seventh out of 34 candidates, receiving 256 votes (0.73%).

Clouston resigned as leader of the SDP on 26 August 2026. In his resignation letter, he said that it had been "very tough" since the 2024 general election and that the party still needed to gain national visibility.

Personal life Clouston and his wife Kim have three sons. + Parliamentary elections contested by William Clouston Date Constituency Party Votes % Position Result 2001 North West Durham Conservative 8,193 20.9 2nd Not elected 2019 Leeds Central SDP 281 0.6 6th Not elected 2024 Hexham 1,211 2.3 6th Not elected 2026 Clacton 256 0.73 7th Not elected