III.

Years in Opposition

Wilson resigned both as party leader and prime minister in April 1976 and was succeeded by his foreign secretary, James Callaghan. The Callaghan government lasted until May 1979, when the Conservatives won elections after Labour had lost a no-confidence motion by one vote. In 1980 Callaghan retired as party chief; his successor was Michael Foot, a leader of the party’s left wing. The following year, new rules for selection of the leader were adopted at the party conference. Labor unions, rather than local party organizations and members of Parliament, secured the largest role in the selection process. This change split the party; four of its most respected members withdrew to form a new Social Democratic Party (later known as the Social Democratic and Labour Party). Divided by this defection and internal squabbles, Labour lost resoundingly in the general elections of June 1983. A decisive British military victory in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) also played a major role in this election. Foot then resigned the leadership post and was succeeded by Neil Kinnock.

In the late 1980s, with increasing tension within the Conservative government, the fortunes of Labour appeared to be rising, but the 1987 elections did not return the party to power. The replacement of Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher in November 1990 by John Major reversed the upturn in Labour popularity, and Kinnock was succeeded by John Smith. Following Smith’s death in 1994, Tony Blair was elected party leader.