The party supports a broad welfare state, public ownership of railways and utilities, lower economic inequality, and raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

[15] The second incarnation of the Social Democratic Party, often referred to as "the continuing SDP", decided to dissolve itself after a disastrous result in the May 1990 Bootle by-election.

[16] The party subsequently won just three seats on the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council during the next eight years.

A third hotspot consisted of SDP councillors Jeff Dinham, John Sullivan and Anthony Taylor in Aberavon Ward, Neath Port Talbot.

[21] Until May 2017, Anthony Taylor sat on Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council as an independent democrat,[22] but remained listed on the party website as an SDP councillor.

He went on to say that the SDP "combines centre left policies on the economy and the welfare state with a firm commitment to implement the will of the people on Brexit, reclaiming sovereignty over money, laws, borders and trade".

[33] Patrick O'Flynn, Member of the European Parliament for East of England, defected from the UK Independence Party (UKIP) to join the SDP in November 2018.

[9] He cited UKIP leader Gerard Batten's appointment of Tommy Robinson as an adviser as a key reason for his departure from the party.

[38] On 22 October 2022, the Social Democratic Party announced a general election pact with the right-wing Reform UK.

[44] The SDP won a third seat on Leeds City Council, with Rob Chesterfield gaining 1,882 votes in Middleton Park ward and defeating sitting Labour councillor Sharon Burke.

[45] SDP candidate David Bettney gained 20,835 votes in the South Yorkshire mayoral election, coming last with 7.6% of the total.

[46] A former soldier who served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Bettney campaigned on tackling homelessness, boosting manufacturing in the region, reopening Doncaster airport and working with disadvantaged teenagers to reduce crime.

[47] The SDP stood in 122 constituencies in the 2024 United Kingdom general election including the journalist Rod Liddle.

The party campaigned on a manifesto titled 'Homecoming' which pledged to put "family, neighbourhood and nation" front and centre.

Two candidates, Daniel Whetstone in Leeds South and Dave Bettney in Doncaster North, retained their deposits.

In March 2019, the party advocated the UK leaving the European Union on WTO terms in the absence of a better deal on offer.

It balances a commitment to enterprise and the market with support for greater progressivity in the tax code, substantial increases in the council housing stock, protection of legal aid, changes to the roll out of Universal Credit and renationalising utilities and the railways.

[60][independent source needed] These "CHCs" would have substantial powers, being able to issue Compulsory Purchase Orders and having the ability to grant themselves planning permission.

[60][independent source needed] The party would also introduce "a moratorium on buy-to-let mortgages" in order to re-balance the housing market in favour of young first-time buyers.

The SDP has criticised past UK efforts to "impose liberal democracy on complex societies in the Middle East".

[59][independent source needed] The SDP believes the tax and benefits system should offer "greater protection and support for family life".

Moreover, government policy in all domains would be subject to a basic test as to "whether it is supportive of the family as the fundamental foundation of society".

[61] The party has a strong stance on reducing immigration, stating that "A return to moderate, controlled migration for a sustained period [...] would be beneficial.

[62][independent source needed] The SDP's policy on transgender rights allows for a person to change their legal sex, subject to "medical gatekeeping".