Coincidentally, today is also the anniversary of the Westminster Labour Party electing its first and only Welsh-born leader: Neil Kinnock (born in Tradegar on 28 March 1942).
Kinnock Was Different to Hardie
Unlike Hardie, whom I covered in my last post, Kinnock was (and remains) less of a radical socialist but something belonging to the “soft left” of the Labour movement. In fact, he is most synonymous with engaging in a war against the radical socialists within the Labour Party, leading to a famous denouncing of it (and its representing group, Militant) at the 1985 Labour Party Conference.
He was also the Labour Party leader for the majority of the Thatcher years (1979-1990) and was her biggest rival for the position of Prime Minister (outside of her own party, anyway). However, he was unable to defeat her and her successor, John Major. At the 1992 General Election, he led the Labour Party to arguably its most shocking and disappointing defeat and resigned as Labour leader on 13 April 1992.
Though unsuccessful in his multiple bids to become Prime Minister, one might argue that he achieved success in his vision for the Labour Party, with many citing Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as natural successors and upholders of his soft left Labour Party vision. Current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is arguably of this mold, too.
Within Cymru itself, Kinnock has something of a mixed reputation. While he was (at his peak) popular for being a Welsh leader of a party which has traditionally been the most popular within Cymru, he is also remembered for being a staunch opponent of Welsh devolution, even campaigning for the “No” side in the 1979 Welsh Devolution Election.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.