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Time - Man of the Year
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Time_Man_of_the_Year_Compact_Publishing_3YX-Disc-1_Compact_Publishing_1993.iso
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1992-09-10
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THE WEEK, Page 17WORLDThe Welshman Quits
After Labour's historic fourth defeat, Kinnock calls it a career
In nine years as leader, NEIL KINNOCK swung Britain's Labour
Party through an almost 180 degrees turn away from some long-
cherished far-left positions: unilateral nuclear disarmament,
nationalization of major industry and rejection of the European
Community. His essential pragmatism, however, only convinced some
voters that he was an untrustworthy opportunist. Despite his
rhetorical gifts, Kinnock consistently ranked well below Tory
Prime Minister John Major in popularity, and that seemed to be a
big reason why, two weeks ago, Labour unexpectedly lost a record
fourth straight general election, its second with Kinnock at the
helm.
Last week Kinnock duly resigned, effective July 18, when
a special party conference will choose his successor. Leading
contenders: John Smith, 53, a pragmatic Scot popular with all
three main segments of the party -- trade unions, members of
Parliament and local organizations -- even though as shadow
chancellor of the exchequer he drafted the program of tax
increases that cost the party heavily at the polls; and Bryan
Gould, also 53, the shadow environment secretary. Gould calls
Smith too cautious; Smith's supporters say Gould, a former
leftist, is too impetuous. Whichever man is chosen, the swing
to the center will continue. Labour's main challenge is to
persuade voters, as Kinnock never could, that the switch is
genuine and lasting.