ABSTRACT
Michael Foot has had many distinguished careers, most obviously as a journalist, author, campaigner and left-wing Labour MP. However, he is often remembered for his one major failure, that of Labour Leader between 1980 and 1983 which culminated in Labours disastrous general election campaign based upon a left-wing manifesto which Gerald Kaufmann referred to as ‘the longest suicide note in history’. It was a harsh experience for an otherwise brilliant writer and generally effective politician.
