Michael Foot – a sad day
I was very sad to hear of Michael Foot’s death today, at 96.
He was a political giant, whose contribution to parliament and to British political life was huge. I don’t share all of his beliefs, but I like to think I do share his commitment to democracy and the achievement of progress through parliament.
I never met Mr Foot. He was Labour leader at the time that I was born, and had long ago left the front benches before I even became aware of what they were. But his speeches and the ideals he espoused in them remain, as do the memories others have of a very decent man who stood firm in his beliefs. He wasn’t the most popular politician when he led the Labour party, nor was he the most successful in elections. But votes and passing trends mean less when conviction and personality are as strong as they were in Mr Foot. His legacy is much more than the votes give him credit for, and those seeking to make the country better in the future will owe him much.
My condolences to all those who knew him and are mourning his death.
Rick
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March 3rd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Well said!!
Michael Foot was a man of immense political stature, conviction, and honesty.
His finest moments were before you were born, and it is a sad fact that, for most of the “under 30″ electorate, he will only be remembered as “the bloke in the donkey jacket”.
But, even in his later years, his courage in political adversity was profound, although not recognised at the time. He became Leader of the Labour Party at a time when their electoral position was dire in the face of a rampant Thatcher; and when the Militant Left were a serious threat to its’ survival. Nobody wanted the “Poison Chalice”, with the unelectable policies that Militant and their ilk had foisted on the Party.
In reality, he could do little to change the policies – and despite leading Labour to its’ heaviest-ever General Election defeat, and the defection of high-ranking colleagues to form the SDP, he held the Party together, and managed to put a brake on things for long enough to enable Kinnock to eventually take over, and begin the process of making the party electable once again.
For that, not just the supporters of the Labour Movement, but all those across the political spectrum who believe in the democratic way of life, owe him a great debt.
He will indeed be sadly missed.