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Subject: After defeat, British Labor Party leader Neil Kinnock resigns
Keywords: international, non-usa government, government, political parties,
	politics, political personalities
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 11:07:36 PDT
Location: great britain
ACategory: international
Slugword: britain-labor
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	LONDON (UPI) -- Neil Kinnock, who brought the Labor Party from the
fringe left to the mainstream in nine years as its leader but lost two
elections to the ruling Conservatives, announced his resignation Monday
after last week's defeat at the polls.
	Kinnock's resignation announcement, coming four days after the
Conservatives' victory, opened the way for a leadership contest within
the Labor Party, which has not held power since 1979.
	``I will not be seeking re-election as the leader of the Labor Party,
'' Kinnock said, describing his resignation as ``an essential act of
leadership.''
	Kinnock, who led his party to two defeats at the polls since he
became party leader in 1983, said his decision to resign ``in the wake
of the election defeat'' was not hasty and was in the best interests of
the party's future.
	Kinnock said a new party leader should be chosen as quickly as
possible, adding that he would step down after the new leader was
picked.
	In Thursday's election, the Conservative party won an absolute
parliamentary majority, taking 336 seats for a historic third term. The
Labor party gained 271 seats in the 651-seat House of Commons. 
	The election's outcome was seen as a personal defeat for Kinnock, who
appeared confident of victory throughout most of the campaign.
	``My sorrow is that millions, particularly those who do not have the
strength to defend themselves, will suffer because of the election of
another Conservative government,'' he said.
	Kinnock blamed the pro-Conservative press for helping defeat the
Labor Party.
	``I make and I seek no excuses and express no bitterness when I say
the Conservative-supporting press has enabled the Tory party to win yet
again,'' he said. ``The Conservative Party could not have secured
victory for itself on the basis of its record, its program or its
character.''
	Kinnock, who will remain a member of Parliament, said the elections
would be held in the second half of June. The party's treasury
spokesman, John Smith, and its environment spokesman, Bryan Gould, were
considered frontrunners to replace Kinnock.
	When Kinnock took over the leadership of Labor in 1983, the party's
platform was far to the left of center. It included unilateral nuclear
disarmament and nationalization of many private enterprises. Under
Kinnock's guidance the party became far more moderate and many of these
stands were abandoned.
	Kinnock's announcement Monday ignited a debate within the party
whether the selection of new leader should be held quickly or after a
thorough review of the election defeat.
	The Labor leader said it was not appropriate to wait until October,
the traditional time for the party to choose a new leader. ``In
providing for these developments, I'm ensuring that the Labor Party can
get on with its work with maximum speed and maximum effectiveness,''
Kinnock said.
	``This will prove to be particularly important when the government as
a small majority faces the continuing and very deep economic difficultes
which it has caused the country.''
	Kinnock, 50, is credited with transforming the Labor Party after its
disastrous 1983 defeat to Margaret Thatcher by eliminating its radical
leftist elements and moving it toward the political center.
	A voter shift to the Conservatives in the last days of the this
year's campaign set the stage for the Labor defeat. Post-election polls
showed that increasing confidence in the Tories' ability to manage the
economy helped secure their victory.
	Kinnock said his deputy, Roy Hattersley, also was stepping down.
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