Michael Foot
The fiery Laborite who challenged Margaret Thatcher
Michael Foot
1913–2010
In 1980, Britain’s Labor Party was in turmoil. The party’s left and centrist wings blamed each other for the previous year’s defeat at the hands of Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives. Foot, a socialist, ran for Labor Party leader on a unity platform and prevailed. In the run-up to the 1983 elections, he produced a 700-page manifesto calling for nuclear disarmament, the state takeover of banks, and abolition of the House of Lords. After Labor was obliterated at the polls, the document became known as “the longest suicide note in history.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Born into a prosperous family in 1913 in Plymouth, England, Foot honed his verbal skills as a journalist, writing articles for left-wing publications. First elected to Parliament in 1945, he was “uniquely lovable,” said the London Independent, gaining the affection, if not the support, of political adversaries.
“With his unruly white mane, thick glasses, and scruffy jackets,” said The New York Times, Foot looked out of place in the button-down Parliament. But he was a compelling orator, widely thought of as the “conscience of the Labor Party.” The “bookish” Foot also was a prolific writer, and he continued his literary pursuits throughout his political career, writing dozens of books, including biographies of left-wing press baron Aneurin Bevan and writer H.G. Wells.
While many on his side of the political spectrum were pushing a less confrontational course, Foot never stopped railing against the capitalists. “To hell with them,” he once bellowed. “The top is greedy and mean and will find a way to take care of themselves. They always do.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Congress could help by providing federal protections'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Dozens dead in Kashmir as terrorists target tourists
Speed Read Visitors were taking pictures and riding ponies in a popular mountain town when assailants open fired, killing at least 26
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Mario Vargas Llosa: The novelist who lectured Latin America
Feature The Peruvian novelist wove tales of political corruption and moral compromise
By The Week US
-
Dame Maggie Smith: an intensely private national treasure
In the Spotlight Her mother told her she didn't have the looks to be an actor, but Smith went on to win awards and capture hearts
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK
-
James Earl Jones: classically trained actor who gave a voice to Darth Vader
In the Spotlight One of the most respected actors of his generation, Jones overcame a childhood stutter to become a 'towering' presence on stage and screen
By The Week UK
-
Michael Mosley obituary: television doctor whose work changed thousands of lives
In the Spotlight TV doctor was known for his popularisation of the 5:2 diet and his cheerful willingness to use himself as a guinea pig
By The Week UK
-
Morgan Spurlock: the filmmaker who shone a spotlight on McDonald's
In the Spotlight Spurlock rose to fame for his controversial documentary Super Size Me
By The Week UK
-
Benjamin Zephaniah: trailblazing writer who 'took poetry everywhere'
In the Spotlight Remembering the 'radical' wordsmith's 'wit and sense of mischief'
By The Week UK
-
Shane MacGowan: the unruly former punk with a literary soul
In the Spotlight The Pogues frontman died aged 65
By The Week UK
-
'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud dies at 25
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia