Foot intervention confuses British Labour Leftists
NZPA-Reuter London Opposition Labour Leftists seeking to block the succession of the Right-winger, Denis Healey to the party leadership yesterday were in confusion over the intervention of the veteran leftwinger, Michael Foot in the election race.
Leftists and centre-Leftists among Labour members of Parliament found themselves torn three ways over their votes. They had three candidates to choose from, compared with the Rightists who had only one — the I .ner Finance Minister, Denis Healey. Mr Foot, aged 67, a fiery orator popular amongst trade unionists, Parliamentarians and party grassroots activists, will pose a formidable challenge to the Right’s champion, Mr Healey — but by throwing his hat into the leadership ring he will also dilute the mainly Leftist-inspired ?< stop Healey” campaign. Mr Foot said yesterday he would prefer his two fellow
centre-Left candidates, Mr I Peter Shore and Mr John i Silkin, to stand down, but ’ within minutes both declared that they, would fight on. Mr Foot had wavered for < days after -the retirement of the former Prime Minister, James Callaghan, last Wednesday before announcing his candidacy, on .MonHis move was greeted!
with delight yesterday by the Communist daily the “Morning Star.” It said Mr Foot would now become the standard-bearer of the predominantly Leftist party activists,
4 But Right-wing newspapers greeted his move with scorn. The “Financial Times” said Mr Foot had become p the poodle of the Left.”; Because of Mr Foot’s, wide appeal throughout- . the Labour Party, political analysts yesterday predicted that it was unlikely the election would be settled bn the first ballot, to be held on November 4. To win then, Mr Healey would have to secure more than half of all votes cast. But bookmakers yesterday were still making Mr. Healey odds-on favourite to win in the end — to face another leadership election, including! .trade unionists and Leftist local activists, next year. The vote is confined to the mainly Rightist Labour members of Parliaments
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Press, 22 October 1980, Page 9
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325Foot intervention confuses British Labour Leftists Press, 22 October 1980, Page 9
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