Labour unites in farewell to Michael Foot
Gordon and Sarah Brown led mourners this afternoon at the funeral of former Labour leader Michael Foot.
An array of Labour Party figures joined friends of the veteran politician and former Evening Standard editor, who died this month aged 96.
Cherie Blair, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, broadcaster Lord Bragg, former spin doctor Alastair Campbell and former health secretary Frank Dobson were among the first to arrive at Golders Green crematorium. Tony Blair was away in America.
Mr Foot was one of Labour's most popular leaders, despite guiding the party to heavy defeat in the 1983 general election. He was seen as a unifying figure who battled to bring the party's factions together with kindness and mutual respect. He was admired on all sides of politics for his unwavering principles and brilliant oratory.
A writer and journalist of great ability, Mr Foot edited the Standard during the Second World War. Born in 1913 into a famous Liberal family, he joined Labour and fought his first election in 1935, finally becoming an MP in 1945.
In Parliament he became the voice of the Left, advocating nationalisation, disengagement from the Cold War and, above all, nuclear disarmament.
He became Labour leader in 1980 but was defeated by Margaret Thatcher in 1983, when the Labour manifesto was dubbed the "longest suicide note in history". The election loss was later seen to have been a blessing in disguise, leading Labour to junk Left-wing ideology and embrace reform.
