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Labour`s clear election defeat in 1987 gave reformers the chance to reverse the effects of the party’s surge to the left between 1979 and 1983. In spite of high levels of unemployment and its much-praised campaign Labour still finished 11% behind the Conservative share of the vote. The Kinnock “project” of the modernization of the party was designed to make Labour electable again. The leader was convinced that the party, due to damage caused by left-wing activists, had lost touch with the concerns of many ordinary Labour voters. ...
After the election defeat the party launched an ambitious policy review. ... The system of one member one vote was extended to the election of parliamentary candidates and members of the NEC; the leader’s office became more influential and a shadow communications agency drawn from experts in the media and communications played an important role in preparing the party’s election strategy.
The project may have resulted in a more leader-dominated and policy centrist Labour Party by 1992. But it did not deliver victory in the General Election, its crucial objective. Labour slumped to a forth successive and unexpected defeat. After the election, party leaders were convinced that it was their spending and taxation proposals, as well as Kinnock`s leadership, which had held them back from victory thus meaning the writing was on the wall for Kinnock and he must go.
Approximate Word count = 1096
Approximate Pages = 4.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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