Neil Kinnock
The Lord Kinnock | |
---|---|
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 2 October 1983 – 18 July 1992 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher John Major |
Preceded by | Michael Foot |
Succeeded by | John Smith |
Shadow Education Secretary | |
In office 4 May 1979 – 2 October 1983 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Tredegar, Wales, UK[1] | 28 March 1942
Nationality | British |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse(s) | Glenys Kinnock (m. 1967–present) |
Relations | Helle Thorning-Schmidt (daughter-in-law) |
Children | Stephen, Rachel |
Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock, PC, (born 28 March 1942) is a Welsh politician. He was a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1995. From 1983 to 1992 he was the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Labour Party.[2] In the general election in 1992 he was beaten. After this he gave up his post of leading the Labour Party (and sitting in Parliament). He was a British politician in the European Commission from 1995 until 2004, and is now Chairman of the British Council and President of Cardiff University.
He was introduced to the House of Lords on 31 January 2005. He was created Baron Kinnock, of Bedwellty in the County of Gwent.[3][4]
Personal life
[change | change source]He is married to Glenys Kinnock. She was Britain's Minister for Africa and the United Nations from 2009 to 2010, and a Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 to 2009. She was made a life peer in 2009. They became one of the few couples to both hold titles in their own right. The two met while studying at University College, Cardiff. They married on 25 March 1967.[5] In 2008 they moved to Tufnell Park, London, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.[6]
They have a son, Stephen and a daughter, Rachel.[7]
Neil Kinnock is a lifelong Cardiff City F.C. fan and regularly attends matches.[8]
In 2011 Kinnock took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home about his Welsh family history. The programme was broadcast on 30 November 2011.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "South East Wales Public Life - Neil Kinnock - Labour politician from Tredegar". BBC. 1942-03-28. Archived from the original on 2012-01-17. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
- ↑ "1983: 'Dream ticket' wins Labour leadership". On This Day. BBC News. 2 October 1983. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ↑ "No. 57549". The London Gazette. 2 February 2005. p. 1249.
- ↑ House of Lords Journal 238 (Session 2004–05) Archived 2016-10-26 at the Wayback Machine, Monday, 31 January 2005; p. 142
- ↑ Julia Finch, Michael White (5 June 2009). "New faces: Alan Sugar and Glenys Kinnock". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
- ↑ Camden New Journal, 10 January 2008, p.10.
- ↑ Harper, James (21 July 2002). "Kinnock gives his girl away". Sunday Mirror. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ↑ "Cardiff's Sunday quest". BBC News. 23 April 2002. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ↑ "Free thought of the Day". 28 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- 1942 births
- Living people
- European Commissioners
- Labour Party (UK) MPs
- Members of the British House of Commons for Welsh constituencies
- Leaders of the Labour Party (UK)
- Leaders of the Opposition (United Kingdom)
- Labour Life Peers
- Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
- UK MPs 1970–1974
- UK MPs 1974
- UK MPs 1974–1979
- UK MPs 1979–1983
- UK MPs 1983–1987
- UK MPs 1987–1992
- UK MPs 1992–1997