Roy Jenkins

Roy Harris Jenkins, Baron Jenkins of Hillhead, OM, PC (November 11, 1920 – January 5, 2003) was a British politician and a prominent Labour Member of Parliament in the 1960s and 1970s, and founding member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The Social Democratic Party (SDP)

On November 22, 1979 Jenkins delivered the annual Dimbleby Lecture which he called "Home Thoughts from Abroad", detailing what he saw as the reasons for Britain's persistent underperformance as a failure of adaptability and the two party system. More importantly he advocated a new "radical centre" and called for a new political grouping. As one of the so-called "Gang of Four", he was a founder of the SDP in January 1981 with David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams.

Related Topics:
November 22 - 1979 - Dimbleby Lecture - Gang of Four - SDP - 1981 - David Owen - Bill Rodgers - Shirley Williams

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He led the new party from March 1982 until after the 1983 elections, and served as SDP Member of Parliament for Glasgow Hillhead from 1982 to 1987. During the 1983 election campaign his position as the prime minister designate for the SDP-Liberal Alliance was questioned by his close colleagues as his campaign style was regarded as ineffective.

Related Topics:
1982 - 1983 - Member of Parliament - Glasgow Hillhead - 1987

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~