Michael Foot, former leader of the Labour Party has died, aged 96.
Foot, a prolific figure in the politics of the 1980's, was leader of the opposition from 1980-83. He first represented his home constituency of Plymouth following the 1945 general election, and remained an active political figure until he resigned the party leadership in 1983.
He remained a passionate supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament throughout his political career, and believed in the nationalisation of major industry. A passionate euro-sceptic, Foot was considered by many to be the definitive example of an 'Old Labour' politican.
He finally retired as an MP in 1992.
Ray Collins, General Secretary of the Labour Party said: "Michael Foot’s passing is very sad news for the Labour Party and the wider movement.
"As leader of our party, a Labour Minister, a writer and a man he was a tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come.
"As Michael Foot himself said, government by consent is the most sacred cause of all. As a young man I was fortunate to see at first hand Michael’s own skill in government, when as Secretary of State for Employment, with Jack Jones of the TUC, he forged the Health and Safety at Work Act which protected millions of working people from injury and illness.
"It is a mark of Michael Foot’s quality as a man and the scale of his contribution to public life over almost seven decades that it is hard to summarise in a single sentence. He was possibly one of the few writers who could.
"As well as pivotal biographies, Labour Party members will remember the clarity and passion of his writing against the appeasement of the 1930s, nuclear weapons, or Apartheid and in support of social justice.
"Michael Foot will be missed by many but most of all by those who knew him best, his family and friends, and my thoughts and condolences are with them today."
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