In 1988, Tony Benn challenged Neil Kinnock for the leadership of the Labour Party. The story of the campaign often overlooked by historians. -------------------- Rumours began in January 1988 that Kinnock would face a challenge from the left of the party. Tony Benn claimed Kinnock was ‘increasingly intolerant’ and ‘authoritarian’ in his manner and ‘gave a... Continue Reading →
1986. Labour NEC votes to expel members of Militant after a report finds it operating as a 'party within a party' The report claims ‘threats and acts of physical intimidation’ and numerous ‘constitutional and organisational breaches' occurred in Liverpool --------------------- The inquiry into Militant in Liverpool was instigated by David Blunkett as a compromise. Following... Continue Reading →
Labour Conference at Wembley to decide rules for electing the leader. With the party on the verge of a historic split, the left - led by Tony Benn - demand greater grassroots influence over the leadership election A thread on the party debates and its impact: After many years organising on the left, a commission was... Continue Reading →
By Popular Demand: A thread on the Labour Party's response to the 1992 General Election – The last time it lost four times in a row The prominent question dominating Labour thinking was ‘If not now, when? If we cannot win in a recession, when can we?’. Labour held a huge poll lead towards the... Continue Reading →
As the Labour Party return to Liverpool - the scene of their pitched battles of the 1980s - Militant have been praised for their work fighting the Tories. In 1985 however, it was Neil Kinnock's speech that put Labour back on the long road to government. The Road to Bournemouth The battle between the Labour Party... Continue Reading →
Before the next election the Tories will change leader in a bid to maintain their grip on power. With it, they will project themselves as a new government. Last time it happened under John Major the party turned round a 30 point poll deficit with a well organised attack on Labour's tax and spend. Could it happen... Continue Reading →
The attempt by The Sun to whip up a storm over Corbyn and the Czech spy is part of a long history of smear campaigning against the left in Britain. During the Miners Strike, the full weight of the establishment worked to undermine their cause. Back then, three people owned 75% of daily paper sales. There was no alternative. In 2018 there... Continue Reading →
It was the speech that put Labour back on the long and often rocky road to government, but why did Neil Kinnock feel the need to take on the Militant Tendency back in 1985? The Road to Bournemouth The development of Militant as a political force is traced back to 1964, with the founding of the... Continue Reading →
