7. John Smith

John Smith served as Labour leader for just two years from 1992, until his untimely death in 1994.

His leadership made way for many of the liberal reforms introduced by Tony Blair's governments, including the National Minimum Wage.

With brilliant guests David Ward, Colm Murphy, Andy McSmith, Peter Dorey and Neil Kinnock - this episode explores Smith’s background, leadership and legacy, as well as how a Smith premiership might have differed from Blair's.

Leading Labour is researched, presented and produced by Izzy Conn - find me on:

LinkedIn: Izzy Conn

X/Twitter: @izzy_conn_

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Edited by Will Barber-Taylor, host of the Debated Podcast.

LinkedIn: Will Barber-Taylor

X/Twitter: @WBarberTaylor

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Artwork by Miranda Reed, Ravensbourne Art student.

Music by Rykard From.

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Find out more about the Institute of Historical Research here.

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LINKS

Peter Dorey, Professor of British Politics at Cardiff University, and author of British Conservatism: The Politics and Philosophy of Inequality (2023).

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/british-conservatism-9781845113520/.

Andy McSmith, Independent journalist, and author of the very first biography of Smith, John Smith: A Life, 1938-1994 (June 1994).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Smith-1938-1994-Andy-McSmith/dp/074939675X

Colm Murphy, Lecturer in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London, author of Futures of Socialism (2023).

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/futures-of-socialism/7EBE9FB7D4BFD38219BCD751C2F941BB

David Ward, Head of Policy for John Smith