Michael Foot, longtime Labour MP and sometime leader of the Labour Party, has died aged 96. He was a man of principle. I was proud to be a member of the Labour Party under his leadership, not least because he was a supporter of CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) who took part in the Aldermaston Marches against the nuclear bomb in the 1950s and 1960s. When, after him, the party ditched its policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament, I left the party. It was particularly galling, because I had supported the selection of the local candidate, who became our MP, Joan Ruddock, who was previously Chair of CND. She quickly became a traitor, and is a useless MP to boot.
Michael was well-known for wearing a donkey jacket, even to things like the November 11th ceremony at the Cenotaph. He hobbled along with a walking stick and looked very frail.
He was one of the last true statesmen left in UK political life.
Pictured at the time of his leadership of the Labour Party.
In his extreme old age.Still there.
We still have the wonderful Denis Healey, one of the finest Chancellors of the Exchequer of recent times. He was defeated by Foot in the leadership battle for the party in 1980. On reflection, he would probably have been more successful as leader, and may have led the party to a victory sooner than the 18 years they had to wait. He still has a witty and often acid turn of phrase, and is very knowledgable about music. He is just 4 years younger than Foot.
Denis as we remember him with his eyebrows.
Denis in his more mature years.I'm trying to imagine David Cameron as a statesman, but the image just won't form.
Although, I am not familiar with any of them, Val, I'm sorry for you and your country's loss.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about disease and death for a couple of days now. I have no idea why. There is an old superstition that says death happens in three's.
Oprah had Roger Ebert, a film critic, on her show the other day, and Val I barely recognised him. At first, looking at him, I was in complete denial. Thinking this couldn't possibly be the big, robust Ebert. Then, they showed a before picture of him, I could not believe the difference in his appearance. He appeared shorter, hair completely white. He couldn't speak, so he had to communicate with a computer. Thank God for technology. But his inner spirit was shining. Ok, enough of the morbid stuff. Ya got any caps on Vincent? Cheers!!
If you think the U.K. is lacking in quality leadership, try living here in the U.S. I think "men of principle" are a think of the past, at least that appears true here in the U.S. Jimmy Carter is still alive and well, but besides him, I'm running out of ideas. Great statesmen I know not of. Politicians abound.
ReplyDelete