Neil Kinnock

The Right Honourable Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock, PC (born 28 March, 1942) is a British politician. He was an MP from 1970 to 1995, and was the leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992, when he resigned after the 1992 general election defeat. He subsequently served as a member of the European Commission from 1995 until 2004, and is now head of the British Council.

Career Overview

Elected in 1970 as member for Bedwellty (later Islwyn), he became a member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in 1978. He was known as a left-winger, and gained renown for his outspoken attacks on Margaret Thatcher's handling of the Falklands War.

Related Topics:
1970 - Islwyn - National Executive Committee of the Labour Party - 1978 - Margaret Thatcher - Falklands War

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Nicknamed "the Welsh windbag" by Private Eye magazine and "Kinocchio" by the Conservatives, he had the thankless task of leading the Labour Party during its so-called "unelectable" period. Although he was seen as very much the coming man when he succeeded Michael Foot, he had a long and difficult path to bring the party back to its pre-Thatcher position. Kinnock was responsible for many of the reforms to the party which were built upon by John Smith and Tony Blair until Labour was elected in 1997.

Related Topics:
Private Eye - Michael Foot - John Smith - Tony Blair - 1997

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