ABSTRACT
In the wake of Labour’s electoral debacle of 1983, Neil Kinnock rapidly succeeded Michael Foot as the Party’s new leader, after securing a clear majority in its electoral college. Although he had established his political reputation as an articulate left-wing critic of the Wilson and Callaghan Governments between 1974 and 1979, Kinnock was by 1983 drawing broadly based support within the Party—from both its soft left and its centre. This was a vital factor underlying his election as leader.
