Neil Kinnock’s Battle with the Militant Left: The Speech That Changed Labour

[@theipaper]

What did you think of Neil Kinnock's speech?

[@eightiesmusic1984]

A great speech but he moved Labour too far to the right and Liverpool City Council was right in resisting the Thatcher government. If it was not for Tory propaganda then and now most people would not find anything extreme about the policies of Militant. A Kinnock government in 1987 or 1992 would have reversed Thatcherism but in the end his leadership paved the way for Blair accepting neoliberalism. Thatcher described 'new' Labour as her greatest achievement because she had destroyed socialism. Councils today are on the brink of bankruptcy due to Tory cuts in funding but also because they have collaborated with the Tory agenda by implementing massive cuts. Militant stood up for the people- not remotely irrelevant to the real needs.

[@Videomaster89]

​@@eightiesmusic1984 Good points, Neil has also been very critical of Jeremy Corbyn as leader, same with Blair and Mandelson, instead of supporting Labour like John Prescott did. Neil was wrong in calling it a 'cult' was they achieved their biggest swing since 1997 in 2007 almost costing Theresa May her premiership. In 2024 Labour received less votes and vote share than in 2017 so does the 'centre ground' really have more support, today I'm not sure it does.

[@Videomaster89]

Neil has also been very critical of Jeremy Corbyn as leader same with Blair and Mandelson, instead of supporting Labour like John Prescott did, Neil was wrong in that they achieved their biggest swing since 1997 in 2007 almost costing Theresa May her premiership. In 2024 Labour received less votes and vote share than in 2017 so does the 'centre ground' really have more support, today I'm not sure it does.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@Videomaster89 Thank you and well said. Prescott was superb in supporting Corbyn and he has spoken about it in the last few days in an interview. You are correct in your comments. I have always been on the left but was floored when Labour lost in 1992. It was terrible. I was only 22 and full of hope Thatcherism was on its way out. John Smith's death two years later was a tragedy for Labour as although he was on the right of the party if he had become PM Labour would have governed like other social democratic countries in Europe, which would have been well to the left of what has transpired for Britain in the last thirty years. Corbyn in 2017 and 2019 offered moderate social democracy no more, no less but was demonised by the press and many in the PLP who should not have stood as MPs if they could not accept the manifesto. I think Kinnock had a lot of qualities and would have been a very good PM but the refusal of the right to work with the left in finding common cause for the greater good of the party and country is on them, not the fault of the left. See the You Tube footage of Livingstone and Corbyn being interviewed the morning after the 1992 defeat- they show a magnanimous attitude to Kinnock not reciprocated by the right in the Blair years and particularly during the purge of the left under Starmer.

[@Westerhousen]

All wind no sail. Beaten twice in the general election by the Iron Lady . It was join major the second time I know, but still technically thatcher 😉

[@Joe-w1j]

I can still quote that famous part of the speech. Not a lefty but really admired Kinnock.

[@hazelwray4184]

Not a lefty, hence you admire Kinnock. No contradiction there.

[@HHM706]

You can admire someone and not like their politics, mate.

[@wmorris189]

Not a lefty but. Kinell mate basic logic.

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

Best speech he ever made, and the one he most needed to make. Militant was a conspiracy that misled far too many young people, who having gone through it, and lost their illusions, never came back.

[@raygoodspeed2382]

@@RobertJonesWightpaint I was one of those young people, and my politics today, aged 65, are just as radical, if not more so.

[@Lorelinde17]

I was there. It was electric. The passion the beautiful use of language. And he was right.

[@cazzi1929]

What do you think went wrong in his campaigns? He seems like such a competent politician, so it is unclear to me why he didn't win the general elections?

[@eightiesmusic1984]

How?

[@ivankolinic5679]

Jesus christ, youre like 60 or something

[@christopher9727]

...... Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@christopher9727]

Don't follow the worldly trends follow Jesus Christ today There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@jonathangammond3019]

The whole speech is on youtube and well worth watching.

[@davidvalea4274]

Could you give me a link please ? 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@heartofoak45]

The current Labour, Labour Prime Minister needs to take heed of this speech.

[@RobertAtkinson-r2n]

My first Party Conference. An incredible 'make your mind up moment'. Two years later it fell to me to deny entry to Derek Hatton at the Blackpool Conference . Neil & Roy Hattersley saved the party from self destruction . We must always be grateful

[@josephgil8165]

Thank you for this series Much appreciated! ❤ From the Philippines

[@alvindimes649]

Dereck Hatton was a complete bell end and a hypocrite.

[@chrisbayes2972]

He was also called 'Derek'.

[@erniemccracken2429]

Socialism for thee but not for me.

[@jonnobloggs1139]

Taxi for Hatton.

[@system1912]

His greatest speech, attacking elements in his own party. Great.

[@briandelaney9710]

It was a brilliant speech and he was right about Militant but I also agree with Tony Benn when he said that Kinnock gave up everything he believed in only to find that people didn’t believe a word he said. Complicated man

[@eightiesmusic1984]

I have just read an article about how Militant increased its influence on Labour in the 1970s and 1980s. Labour ended its list of proscribed organisations in 1973 but re-introduced it just over a decade later, enabling it to marginalise Militant. MI5 infiltration also no doubt helped- Dave Nellist Coventry MP was being watched. The word revolutionary has been attached to Militant and its ambitions for the Labour Party and society. It gives people the vapours because it unsettles them for various reasons but there is nothing wrong with revolutionary changes as long as it is lawful and peaceful, crucially. Thatcherism was revolutionary in the changes it wrought as it destroyed Britain and in 2024 we live in her Britain due to the lasting, egregious effects of her policies that Labour has failed to reverse when in office from 1997 to 2010. Starmer will also accept the Thatcherite consensus. Dave Nellist accepted a worker's wage and was a true working class hero- if every Labour MP had his principles and commitment to economic and social justice, Britain would be a different land today.

[@JC-sd3vh]

He had to do it, but he may have known that it would have cost him the leadership or a premiership, but he believed in it, so he had to do it......and for that I respect him. The life chance part of the speech was even more heartfelt, and all the more powerful.

[@zeb1801]

Kinnock was the spark that set me off on the road to Labour and socialism, I saw that speech on TV and it was dynamite. Needed to be done and although this man was never a prime minister it set up Labour under Tony Blair to win in the future. Great stuff.

[@robred19]

I remember that speech - Yep, it was a genuine heart-felt, passionate plea, laced with passion and relaying a bitter reality on Labour and its members, as many cheered. Yet, the downside in attacking a section of your support, is that it put political division centre-stage. The people who were to suffer the wrath and expulsions, were also the very same committed people who would campaign and agitate for a Labour government. So what was earned? Another 12 years of Tory rule, 2 recessions, an ERM debacle and a system that has suppressed wages, crushed services, blunted social mobility and we now live in a hollowed out economy, where young people (like me) who watched that speech, now shudder in the face of likely pensioner poverty. We now live in a time, not of 1985 but now in a time that any Victorian from the 1840s can understand. A minimal democracy, poor living/working conditions, massive inequality and a workplace on the edge of dispensing the human capital of a society that rushes headlong to rapid technological change that threatens to leave even more people behind. Most of whom will never be equipped with the skills and resources to adapt to an economic and political system, that demands ever more, yet in its returns has diminished everything. Yeah, great speech, just a shame, looking back, as to its results as we live with the consequences of it, in its failure to win elections and leading to the embracing of an economic system that has stolen much, delivered little and has expended resources in which the privileged few gained. Maybe, just maybe - Those Trots had a point.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Most of the policies advocated by Militant would be agreed with by the right of Labour- this is the absurdity of the purges of the left since the eighties. Any candidate who cannot support the manifesto should not be standing if they think it is too left wing. Of course, they stand because they know there is nothing contentious about most policies. Many of the policies put forward by Militant or any other group on the left have been framed as radical, extreme by the right wing establishment which Labour allowed itself to be controlled by ( I know Parliament is part of the establishment) to a degree that fatally compromised its historic mission to improve the lives of working people. Kinnock was a good orator ( although some of this is actually quite cringeworthy and clunky- 'tendency tacticians', for example) but the speech changed nothing with two defeats ensuing in 1987 and 1992. The policy reviews in the eighties moved the party to the right, with abandonment of opposition to right to buy in 1987 and unilateral disarmament ( a whole debate in itself) doing the bidding of the Tories on their terms. You make very valid points in your analysis. Labour did a lot of good 1997 to 2010 but failed to reverse Thatcherism, which it would have if Kinnock or Smith had become PM. The Tories have been on the wrong side of history for over a hundred years with disastrous policies that have only benefitted the rich, as intended. The Labour right has been complicit in this ever since the first Labour government of 1924.

[@locorum9103]

You're completely right

[@raygoodspeed2382]

@robred19 the Trots absolutely had several points.

[@davidevans3227]

mm.. i've felt things are seeming rather Victorian for far too long people trying to make a penny out of absolutely anything

[@jonnobloggs1139]

Is that you Owen?

[@davidvalea4274]

Does anyone know where I can find the full speech? I found only a 6-minute cut version. If anyone has a link to the full, uncut speech, please leave it here.

[@christopher9727]

..... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@warrenetchells9441]

The speech changed my view on Neil Kinnock, before that I perceived him as a lightweight, even though he never became prime minister it laid the way for Labour to win a general election, despite it being 12 years away. The tory press I think began to realise that kinnock meant business.

[@peterdavis943]

I remember watching this speech at the time and i thought at last!

[@andrewflavell3560]

One of the true political heroes of the post WW2 era!!!

[@barjumbo1969]

Say what you like about Kinnock, this NEEDED to be said. Because, this was the beginning of 'new labour.'. I applaud him for his bravery, in the face of such derision.

[@adampowell5376]

What a powerful ending? He spoke of delivering the British people from evil.

[@Throughthickfog]

I remember this speech, as a youngster, and I was thinking this is real Leadership, he would have made an outstanding PM. 😮

[@stephenholmes1036]

Dennis Skinner and Joan Maynard, She represented farm workers very well. Dennis Skinner was an honest MP. Im not a socialist but respected both. Skinner beat Kinnock at a Tribune meeting in oration

[@jtomlin1uk]

I'm a Tory by nature, though did vote for Labour in 1997 - much to my regret - and would have hated Kinnock as PM, but by God, this was his finest hour.

[@Videomaster89]

Good points, Neil has also been very critical of Jeremy Corbyn as leader, same with Blair and Mandelson, instead of supporting Labour like John Prescott did. Neil was wrong in calling it a 'cult' was they achieved their biggest swing since 1997 in 2007 almost costing Theresa May her premiership. In 2024 Labour received less votes and vote share than in 2017 so does the 'centre ground' really have more support, today I'm not sure it does.

[@storm21410]

​@@Videomaster89 win an election by the rules as they're played, not as you want them to be played. God knows how much worse Corbyn would have been than Boris on COVID and Ukraine

[@johnlander3164]

Remember Dennis Skinner's speech too Neill Kinnock about being on a "Hit List" Dennis Skinner ripped Kinnock to bits. Never forgot Neil Kinnock's support for the NUM 84/5 strike,,,,abysmal support. I was on strike 1 year.

[@bfc3057]

It was doomed from the start and didn't have a national mandate. It was 40 years ago.

[@smallsmalls3889]

Im not a Labour voter but that was a great speech.

[@JosephODonohue-zf5on]

Sign the petition, Change is coming

[@DamienDunne-l6h]

Remember this brilliant speech,would of been a great prime minister.

[@benedictcowell6547]

When I heard Neil Kinnock talking about the EU and his assessment of the EU I came to realise that the Murdoch and right wing press had traduced Kinnock because he was a formidable figure, intellectually, and I admired Glenys as well, but I have an anecdote that might be timely. My German teacher at the college which I attended after I retired to revitalise my languages had a brother working for a leading German Newspaper, and he agreed to give us two hours for a discussion on the Media, auf Deutsch naturlich , and he said that He had interviewed Neil Kinnock and found that contrary to the traducing of the Tory Press, he was the most well informed, and had a better grasp of European politics tha any other English Politician. It is well to remember how vicious and despicable our press and media are because they are at it again, these virulent attacks on Keir Starmer by the media and press and politicians that endorse a rapist and a fraudster as President of the USA in preference to a woman with an established record both in law and politics indicates the depravity of our media. The same personnel attack Biden< who is considered by informed experts as one of the most successful administrations in seventy years and prefer a man whose administration was a moral disaster, and an incompetent farce.. Before you trust a media with such warped judgements just reflect on the pernicious nature of our politics since Brexit, ad just measure Farage's proven failure as an advocate of Brexit. It makes nonsense of democracy, and it is intended to.. The scale of the warping of Public judgement in respect to Europe,in respect to democracy, in respect to Science, the Monarchy< the Ciil Service Our European Allies is either crass ignorance or malignant and ilv intentioned conspiracy and by who> for what Motive? and who are in the conspiracy? The same Murdoch, American Billionaires, Trump, MAGA, Modi Putin and a corrupted Supreme Court of the USA, and what unites them? Greed, malice, ambition, and . reactionaries who want yesterday's privileges at any cost. And what fuels them. A badly educated, ill informed Mislead electorate with no judgement beyond the rubbish they read and to which they give credence in indolence and prejudice and Incipient hysteria.

[@wilsonfisk6626]

WE'RE ALRIGHT! WE'RE ALRRRRIGGGHT! WE'RE ALLLLLLRRRRIIIIGGGHHHHT!

[@jonhay3141]

@@wilsonfisk6626 The Sheffield Rally,oops...

[@wilsonfisk6626]

@jonhay3141 Any idea how long that speech went on for?

[@jonhay3141]

@@wilsonfisk6626 A while, but the right wing media obviously wanted a downer on Kinnock as usual.

[@wilsonfisk6626]

@jonhay3141 Light bulb

[@eightiesmusic1984]

I don't think you are. I hope things work out for you.

[@EdMcF1]

'Handing out redundancy notices to its own workers' I thought 'Well, they aren't in a position to hand them out to someone else's workers'. But I do recall the TV cut to Derek Hatton's reaction to those words.

[@jonhay3141]

I do remember the speech, which was Kinnock's finest moment, taking on the would be Militants, and Eric Heffer storming off the stage, with the Thatcherite press taken aback at his bravery and reluctant to publish it on their front pages the following day (The Daily Express for example). However, Thatcher still won the 1987 election easily, Kinnock couldn't defeat Major in 1992, as a Labour government was still more than a decade away.

[@HHM706]

This bloke sounds like Roy Hattersley 😂

[@meggymoo1010]

Kinnock would've been a fabulous PM

[@mikebeevers2416]

He managed to lose against Major. That takes a special skill.

[@Mrliamames]

It helped having the media onside, look up the sun newspaper articles on election day "whoever is last out of the uk if labour win turn off the lights".

[@maxkazzora4234]

Neil Kinnock was a true Welsh orator that gave the rotten trade Union barons.

[@maxkazzora4234]

A bloody nose.

[@markplayer3772]

A small point, Derek Hatton was the Deputy Leader of Liverpool City Council.

[@christopher9727]

....... Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@stephenholmes1036]

John Hughes was head but powerless,

[@iainmclaughlan1557]

Can someone please explain what was especially wrong about hiring taxis to take redundancy notices round to employees?

[@jasonsmith1158]

He resigned as labour leader……. And went on to join the EU gravy train……. MAKING MILLIONS OF POUNDS FOR HIMSELF !!! *** SOCIALISM FOR YOU BUT NOT FOR ME…..***

[@ipohtennischannel5482]

Neil Kinnock's 1985 Labour Party Conference Speech That Changed The Fate Of His Party... And opened the door for nepotism on a grand scale as he arranged for his entire family to land plum jobs with the European Union in Brussels.

[@MrDodgedollar]

Kinnock would actually have been a pretty good PM

[@maxkazzora4234]

What a shame we don’t have him as Labour leader and PM now.

[@NockyReynolds]

Long before he developed a penchant for EU pensions and expenses.

[@chrisbayes2972]

Skinner. Top lad.

[@harlech52]

Many will disagree with that assessment of Kinnock as a public speaker. Windbag was a more common opinion of him at the time

[@hazelwray4184]

Kinnock, his wife and kids are worth millions, and Labour is a hollow shell of a political party.

[@mrb.5610]

The Sun - i.e. Rupert Murdoch - had it in for him. That worked so well, he thought he'd do the same thing in America too. And look what happened there.

[@johninsing]

With a bar and a spa and an outdoor pool

[@JohnBlance-bw5fp]

Underrated contribution. Well played.

[@andrewashdown3541]

Kinnochio! Started so well - a favourite of panel show & current affairs interview - but having fluffed two elections through vaunting arrogance & stifling prolixity, gradually & ineluctably descended into a gibbering dissipated windbag, a regular denizen of Private Eye and Spitting Image

[@andrewrose7800]

"The greatest platform orator..." it's thought his speech prior to the 1992 election lost Labour that election.

[@christopher9727]

.... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@jasonsmith1158]

THE WELSH WINDBAG !!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gniklaus4100]

Was it written by Lord Mandelson?

[@エメットロバート]

A brilliant orator

[@TheDriller-Killer]

It was all meaningless in the end as 'The Welsh Windbag' couldn't unseat 'The Iron Lady' 😂😂😂

[@bfc3057]

She went in November 90, he was Labour leader till 92.

[@TheDriller-Killer]

@bfc3057 Still didn't get into power though, was beaten by 'The Grey Man' John Major. Just goes to show how useless Neil Pillock really was.

[@bfc3057]

@TheDriller-Killer goes to show you should have checked a few facts before posting

[@TheDriller-Killer]

@@bfc3057 Er no, It was fellow Tories who sealed her fate and in the subsequent election, he got beaten by John Major. So I'M right and YOU'RE wrong!!!

[@kevinwilde]

now she's turned to rust.

[@DARRELLGRIFFITHS]

“We can’t make promises so fanciful, not in reality”” we can’t make false promises” Liebor haven’t changed a bit, 40 years on. Lol.

[@RichardGraham-l6f]

Kinnock went Thatcherite!

[@redtim3690]

And then Kinnock went on to lose two elections. Another example of a Labour Party politician starting on the left but moving to the left to further their career. What is required is a real socialist alternative and not a Tory Party Mark II.

[@scottmcdonald1607]

Why didn’t he become prime minister?

[@greggordon120749]

This is the leader who lost two general elections. Had he stood aside in 1992 for John Smith then Major would have lost.

[@stephensuddens9146]

What did he actually achieve that was positive?

[@Jackcantsleepful]

Ah, Neil Kinnock. That former Prime Minister. Why do Labour celebrate failing?

[@jontaylor1927]

It was a great speech. Unfortunately the British public as a whole were never going to vote someone with a strong Welsh accent as PM. I write this as a Welshman.

[@davidevans3227]

Llol

[@DiseaseShaker]

David Lloyd George?

[@jontaylor1927]

@@DiseaseShaker Good point, but I would strongly contest that having heard recordings of DLG, his accent was not "strong Welsh" and more akin to that of Wynford Vaughan-Thomas.

[@tawektawek3838]

I was an activist in the SDP, then the Alliance, and I was suspicious of Neil Kinnock's party. I thought there were still people in the Labour party who would be highly irresponsible in government, and that something like militant could return. Of course, in Jeremy Corbyn, something like that did happen again to the party. However, I think I was wrong, in that every party has the capacity to be taken over by an irresponsible minority (as we have seen in the States with Trump). I now think that Kinnock was a decent man, and what he wanted would have been good for the country. Of course he made political mistakes, and he might have failed as a Prime Minister if he had won. We will never know. But looking back, he might have been a better Prime Minister than John Major in 1992. And I hugely admire him and admire that speech.

[@robertgannon-cx2mm]

The man is a massive hypocrite!!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Congratulations for playing your part in splitting the left and keeping the Tories in power for another 15 years and ensuring that when Labour won in 1997 it had accepted the Thatcherite consensus. You did it! Shameful.

[@JulianBeach]

Compare this poetry with Starmer reciting Labour's quarterly statioery order. Labour knows, but won't admit, that it has no mandate.

[@MrBoliao98]

If he had a shitty tory prime minister, he would have done as well as Starmer.

[@system1912]

Well it's easy to score a goal when the keeper is absent 😅

[@robertdavidson8028]

He did have one - had the Falklands not happened Thatcher wouldn't have lasted as long as the (imo) awful pm did, and wouldn't have the undeservedly high reputation she gained thereby, and which, in the process, practically prevented a proper scrutiny of what she was doing to the national economy long term; industry and manufacturing being hollowed out (witness what has happened to both steel and car undustries inter alia) and the growth of service etc. sectors - all contributing to the lack of manufacturing global competitiveness long-term. Kinnock may or may not have been right about momentum, I'm not sure; people disagree on the topic and I don't know enough about the truths and myths involved - or the particular circumstances of Liverpudlian politics, though I have noted that, in that instance, there have since been claims that myths were spread by the right of the party (as there have been since about other things - notably the wild exaggeration about anti-semitism within the party, and the mendacious myth about Jeremy Corbyn being anti-semitic). However, his move to the right, and the tragic early death of John Smith, served to deliver the party into the, (imo), toxic grubby hands of the Blair / Brown governments and the even more toxic hands of Starmer (advised, of course by Bliar, and possibly Meddlesome and soupy Campbell too); which is not to suggest that the Tory governments in between haven't also been egregious too.

[@hazelwray4184]

You mean, if we/or the country had. Not, if he had. He lost to John Major. There's nothing more to say. Lol

[@robertdavidson8028]

@@hazelwray4184 Oh, there is !( don'cha love it when somebody thinks they've struck a killer blow with a half-arsed comment which really isn't the killer blow they think it is?) Aside from the fact that I momentarily mixed up Momentum with Militant (whoops !- silly me) John Major was the benificiary of a Tory government that was still, in itself, the beneficiary of an ill -deserved reputation for good governance, as a result of the feel-good factor /upsurge in patriotic fervour which lasted MT up to the point where she tried to double down on the poll tax fiasco. Major, although a decent sort of Tory (relatively speaking) would have had a harder time winning but for the residue of that loyalty to what was really a fairly divided, and in many ways toxic, Tory party - despite the enforced exit of Norman Tebbit and others - there were still the likes of Redwood and his ilk - the "Bastards" who would haunt Major's premiership and help him lose to Bliar eventually. So No, it's not nearly as simple as simple - minded people would have us believe.

[@KaidenOffical]

Did he support the miners.I can't remember

[@raygoodspeed2382]

@@KaidenOffical only with weasel words and caveats. He opposed the NUM.

[@bfc3057]

​@@raygoodspeed2382the num didn't have a national mandate

[@raygoodspeed2382]

@bfc3057 yeah, yeah. Haha.

[@bfc3057]

@@raygoodspeed2382 keep trying you might get a few responses

[@patmays7344]

Too late for Starmer. He’s made all his undeliverable promises, and he has Broken Every One Of Those Promises! The worst Labour Prime Minister, in History. If only Kinnock could come back?

[@alexrobinson3970]

the. s of 1992 ft

[@richmorris9942]

And he was no match for Margret

[@emd3290]

God this guy's voice is infuriating.... YESHhh

[@adamsmith275]

...you must be kidding!... Watch THE PROJECT (2002) ...And then you should watch the famous stroll on the beach!...

[@mikebeevers2416]

Spent half his life professing to loath privilege yet accepted a peerage. Of course he did nothing for the pay.

[@paulsawtell3991]

Al la prescott.

[@denzel270]

also joined the EU gravy train.

[@annfernakerpan6654]

Just like the rest of them

[@FlbcImp]

Having integrity,intelligence and passion is no guarantee of attaining the highest office,but being a lazy,lying egotistical sociopath seems to.

[@muff-puff.]

Why he NEVER made P M 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@muff-puff.]

Greater oraror my Backside. Lady Margaret Hilda THATCHER always wiped the floor with him, the Welsh WINDBAG as he was known 🤣 😂. 🇬🇧👏

[@wilsonfisk6626]

Benn, Blair, Thatcher all better speakers.

[@danh5637]

“The greatest platform orator of his generation” I’ve never heard so much bullshit in one line as that. He was awful. Aside from anything else the country repeatedly rejected him.

[@kevinwilde]

free money and thatchers yuppies 😂😂😂.

[@stefanufer608]

His hollering and shouting proved he had no control over his party

[@christopher9727]

...... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@kevinbeckett2567]

are you all blind and deaf .tHIS MAN WHO HATED THE HOUSE OF LORD What did he become .him and his wife Lord bloody kinnock what a two faced git they turn out to be

[@scottmcdonald1607]

Cause he had no balls

[@HHM706]

Entryism

[@philipkoekemoer4705]

Lol

[@swaldron5558]

Horrible man.

[@GayorgVonTrapp]

Labour - Grotesque - Chaos Yep. Those three words funnily seem to belong together.

[@stevebryant5510]

Hmm sounds like the last 14 years 🤔

[@erniemccracken2429]

"one of the greatest speeches in history..." In the history of the Labour Party, you mean? Or do you actually mean history in general? A passionate speech, yes, but it's not exactly the Gettysburg Address or "I have a dream" is it?

[@richmorris9942]

And he was no match for Margret