Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) with relatively high melting points are prepared by a process which includes solid state polymerization of a (pre)polymer, which contains alkali metal cations, to raise the LCP molecular weight. The presence of the alkali metal cations in the (pre)polymer usually results in a final polymer with less color and/or a higher melting point. The LCPs are useful as molding resins and for films.