Role of Neil Kinnock, Demographic changes and further divisions Flashcards
When did Kinnock replace Foot as leader? How was this a turning point for Labour?
1983 – Although Kinnock had earlier been on the left of the party, he was realistic to appreciate that the hard left path was unlikely to lead Labour back to power.
Describe Kinnock’s policy review?
He rejected many of the programmes, such as unilateralism, which the party had saddled itself with under Foot.
Describe the key moment of the 1985 Labour party conference
Kinnock denounced the Militant tendency councillors, such as those in Liverpool and Manchester, whose extreme activities had earned the contempt of the electorate.
What did Kinnock tell the party during the 1985 conference?
It had to adapt to the real world or it would be condemned to permanent powerlessness.
How successful had Kinnock been in 1986?
In 1986 Kinnock was successful in expelling Militant Tendency from the Labour Party but it was still perceived as dominated by the Left and the trade unions.
How had Kinnock’s speech in 1985 damaged the SDP?
By advancing the notion of a party wedded to reform but determined to avoid extremes, he had stolen the SDP’s clothes. A reformed but still radical Labour Party meant there was no need for an SDP.
What could Labour no longer depend on?
Its traditional working-class support. Press coverage of Labour was almost universally hostile. Whole sections of Labour’s traditional political support leaked away.
