The End of an Era: Diaries 1980-90

The End of an Era: Diaries 1980-90

by TonyBenn (Author)

Synopsis

In this final volume of Tony Benn's unrivalled series of diaries, the fall of Margaret Thatcher and the tragic was in the Gulf bring to an end a decade which see the disintegration of Eastern Europe and an unprecedented assault on the labour movement at home. Beginning at the high tide of the Conservative victory over Callaghan's Government and charting the course f the authoritarian Thatcher style through the Falkland's War-which re-establishes her waning popularity- The End Of An Era also records the miners' strike, the spycatcher debacle and the Zircon debate. It is a period which marks the peak of Tony Benn's reputation as a brilliant parliamentarian. As a member of Labour's National Executive, Benn is excellently placed to record the transformation of the Labour Party from its socialist and trade union tradition to an essentially social democratic party which endorses an efficient but more humane administration of capitalism. The expulsion of Militant by Neil Kinnock, Benn's leadership challenge, and the founding conference of the Socialist Movement are different responses to the painful political metamorphosis of the party. The reader has a ringside seat for ten years of an extraordinary era of International and domestic political life.

$4.76

Save:$26.88 (85%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 684
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Hutchinson
Published: 24 Sep 1992

ISBN 10: 0091748577
ISBN 13: 9780091748579

Author Bio
Tony Benn has been the labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield since March 1984, and was MP for Bristol South-East from 1950 to 1983. He was elected to the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in 1959, and was Chairman of the Party in 1971/72. He has been a Cabinet Minister in every Labour Government since 1964, holding the positions of Postmaster General, Minister of Technology and Minister of Power, Secretary of State for Industry, Secretary of State for Energy one-time President of the Council of Energy Ministers of the European Community. He contested the leadership of the Labour Party in 1976 and in 1988. He is the author of thirteen previous books, including Arguments for Democracy and Fighting Back. He is married to Caroline and they have four children and seven grandchildren. The End of An Era, like the previous four volumes of diaries, was edited by Ruth Winstone.