John Smith Labour Leader
Labour leader from 1992 until his death in 1994. He set the stage for the emergence of New Labour in the 1997 election.
- Name : Smith
- Born : 1938
- Died : 1994
- Category : Political Figures
- Finest Moment : Becoming Leader of the Labour Party in 1992.
A Scottish lawyer by profession, John Smith was first elected to Parliament as a Labour member in 1970. He quickly made the notice of his leaders, and held several junior ministerial posts from 1974-78, before serving as Secretary of State for Trade.
He succeeded Neil Kinnock as party leader in 1992. A member of Labour's right wing, Smith was unusual for a politician in having hillwalking as a hobby. He played a major role in moderating the party's leftist policies and preparing the ground for a return to government. Following one heart attack, he succumbed to a second one in 1994. He is buried on Iona.