From Bevan to Bournemouth ─ Neil Kinnock on a life in Labour and the art of political speechmaking

Speakola

Neil Kinnock was leader of the UK Labour Party from 1983-1992, and a member of parliament from 1970-95. With his Welsh accent, and his brilliant cadence and rhythm, he was renowned for his oratory and remains one of the most natural off-the-cuff speakers in the history of British politics. He lost the 1987 election to Margaret Thatcher, and the 1992 election to John Major.A fascinating chat with Tony about growing up working class, music, sport, his early political life, meeting Nye Bevan, the 'I Warn You' speech before the 1983 election, gaining the Labour leadership, the miners' strike, and the 1985 Labour Party Conference. He also talks about losing two elections, the rise of Tony Blair, the socialism of the COVID era, and Brexit.

The feature speech for the episode is Kinnock's speech in Bournemouth at the 1985 Labour Party Conference, where he tore strips off people in the far left faction of the party known as Militant.

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