In 1879 the division became explicit when a separate parliamentary party was formed by supporters of Jan Kappeyne van de Coppello.

In the 1891 general election, however, the confessional parties lost their majority and a liberal cabinet led by Gijsbert van Tienhoven was formed.

After the 1897 general election, the liberals regained their majority and a cabinet led Nicolaas Gerard Pierson enacted a series of social laws, including compulsory education for all children between the ages of six and twelve.

In the 1905 general election, however, a cabinet was formed by the two liberal parties, led by Theodoor Herman de Meester.

The 1913 general election resulted in no clear majority; the Social Democratic Workers' Party was asked to join the liberals in a coalition government, but they refused.

It was in favour of a small government, which nonetheless got its income from progressive taxation and would enact social legislation.

Before 1918 elected in single member districts, after that by proportional representation: Liberal received support from atheist and Latitudinarian Protestant voters from the higher classes: businessmen, civil servants, wealthy farmers and voters from the liberal professions (lawyers, doctors, etc.)

The party performed particularly well in the major trading cities Amsterdam and Rotterdam, in provincial centres like Arnhem, Zutphen and Leeuwarden, in the rich municipalities around Hilversum and The Hague and in northern rural provinces, like Groningen and Drenthe.