The Drama of Labour Leaders of the Opposition

Only two Labour leaders of the opposition have won from that position. Harold Wilson in 1964 and Tony Blair in 1997. Both acquired leadership halfway through a parliament. So they were still fresh by the time of the election, both in tragic circumstances. In each case, there was a widespread assumption that they would win. But what happens with these Labour leaders is, first of all, they face a media onslaught which is very tough to take. You have to be huge to wake up and find you're a useless stick.