A Footnote to History

[hairyears]

RIP Michael Foot: archetypal Wadhamite - academic and rhetorical brilliance, dedication and an appetite for work, and a social conscience that led him to the Left; politically-ineffective and blinded by a purity of principles that led him to dangerous folly

Comments

[hairyears]

You are not alone in that!

Before the news today, I doubt that one in ten of all adults alive in Britain could've named the Leader of the Opposition in the first, and most destructive, Parliamentary term of Thatcherism.

Many would've blurted 'Scargill' and all too few would ask themselves why it seems so difficult to recall a single voice that spoke aloud. There Is No Alternative, indeed.

[huggyrei]

I don't recognise any of these names! Mind you, I only started paying any kind of attention to the news round about sixth form age, by which point Tony had already been in power for 3 years. I have very vague memories of turning over the TV when John Major appeared.

[naath]

I wasn't even born... and besides, couldn't tell you the name of the previous leader of the Conservative party (of course Cameron's all over the news at the moment). Not sure that "he was pretty crap" is the main reason people don't remember him.

[lethargic_man]

I could, but only because he was leader at the time I became politically aware.

[reddragdiva]

If you'd shown them a picture they'd go "oh, the scruffy git."